FG Moves to Revive Stalled Kolmani Oil Exploration

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to reviving exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) set to support efforts toward the remobilisation of the project.

The Chairman of RMAFC, Muhammad Bello, disclosed this on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field, where he said the commission was assessing the status of the project and exploring ways to facilitate its continuation.

Bello said the Kolmani project, which commenced momentum in 2023, was important to Bauchi State, the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.

“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return,” Bello said, stressing that the commission would use its findings to advocate for the resumption of activities.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was concerned about the project and had assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states of efforts to facilitate its continuation.

The RMAFC chairman said the commission would review the situation at the site and report its findings to the relevant authorities, noting that the commission would continue to monitor developments through its oil and gas committee.

During the visit, Bello also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy and commended the Bauchi State Government for developing institutions capable of producing the skilled manpower needed when oil exploration becomes fully operational.

He noted that the RMAFC had contributed part of the funding for the construction of the academy.

Earlier, Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, disclosed that exploration activities at the Kolmani site had stopped around July 2025.

According to him, the state government became aware of the development after members of the host community reported that the technical company handling the project had begun demobilising from the site.

He said the state government subsequently constituted a joint team with the local government and engaged the technical company to understand the reasons behind the stoppage.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the RMAFC visit would help rekindle efforts to resume exploration activities.

Maiwada reaffirmed the state government’s readiness, under Governor Bala Mohammed, to provide the manpower and necessary support required to advance the project.

“Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration,” he said.