Kolmani Oil Well rift: Gombe residents blame NNPC interest, Boundary Commission silence
Chima Azubuike, examines brewing feud between the oil communities and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
About 66 years after crude oil discovery in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. Kolmani in North-East Nigeria, also boosts of oil in commercial quantity especially with Oil Prospecting Licences (OPL) 809 and 810, cutting across Kolmani One, Two, Three, Four, Five.
Gombe State was created in 1996 by the Sani Abacha regime, from old Bauchi, the land is under the Pindiga emirate, in Akko Local Government Area.
The President Muhammadu Buhari, at the flag off ceremony disclosed that one billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 500 billion standard cubic feet of gas exists in Kolmani River Oil and Gas field.
According to him, “This discovery had emanated from our charge to the NNPC to re-strategise and expands its oil and gas exploration footprints to the frontier basins of Anambra, Dahomey, Sokoto, Benue trough, Chad and Bida Basins. Similar activities across the other basins are currently actively on-going.”
Buhari disclosed that the project has attracted over $3 billion investments so far.
“We are pleased with the current discovery of over 1 billion barrels of oil reserves and 500 billion Cubic Feet of Gas within the Kolmani area and the huge potentials for more deposits as we intensify exploration efforts.
“It is therefore to the credit of this administration that at a time when there is near zero appetite for investment in fossil energy, coupled with the location challenges, we are able attract investment of over USD 3 billion to this project,” he added.
On utilising the Komani field, Buhari said, “As a fully integrated on-site development project comprising upstream production, oil refining, power generation and fertiliser, the project promises many benefits for the nation. This includes but not limited to Energy security, Financial Security, Food security as well as overall socio-economic development for the country.”
Buhari, noted that the Governors of Bauchi and Gombe States have given assurances of their unwavering commitment and willingness to ensure support and cooperation in these localities as this activity affects the local populations.
However, just like many assurances from leaders that doesn’t trickle down to the populace.
Our Correspondent observed seeming disagreement between Bauchi and Gombe States especially as the residents express perceived injustices, with some claiming that NNPC is sympathetic to the course of Bauchi.
Tales of Conspiracy
Speaking, Barrister Abdullahi Inuwa, Gombe-based legal practitioner, blamed the injustice on former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, who passed on in 2020.
Baru, was born in Misau, Bauchi State, he was GMD from 2016 to 2019.
Inuwa, explained that their grouse is not with Federal Government but the NNPC, he noted that the president was only misguided.
“To some extent it is true and to some extent it is not. The true position is we did not accuse the Federal Government directly but our accusation points at NNPC not federal government per say, NNPC is an Agency of the federal government. We are accusing NNPC since Maikanti Baru’s time for manipulation, For trying to create smokescreen by portraying the fact that Kolmani is in Bauchi, while Kolmani is in Gombe.
“There is village head of Kolmani, who is answerable to District Head, who is answerable to Pindiga emirate under Akko Local Government. Our position is that Kolmani is in Gombe not in Bauchi. The federal government or the president has been misled by NNPC especially it highest ranking officers of the NNPC that are of Bauchi State indigene,” Inuwa said.
Answering questions as to why late Baru, caused the brewing feud, he described it as unnecessary, stressing that NNPC had shown preference to Bauchi State.
He said, “If you are to go to Misau, you will see so many development made by NNPC in Misau, where Maikanti Baru came from. Issues of boreholes, constructed by NNPC in the area there are more boreholes on the side of bauchi and less on the side of Gombe. If you are to going Bauchi State, that area in Bauchi to where oil is alleged to be discovered from the border, all the fenced block is on the side of Gombe State all the four areas, there is no area on the side of bauchi surrounded by walls where oil is to be drilled we have Kolmani Two, where they are claiming is Bauchi, Where have Kolmani Three and there is no claim, it’s Gombe. Kolmani Four there is no claim from the side of Bauchi is Gombe, the same with Kolmani Five. So assuming Kolami Two is Bauchi, I think three is more than one. And not only that if you are to go to Barambu, during Maikanti Baru’s administration I was informed about a store constructed by NNPC in Barambu, which is part of Bauchi and I was told there a laboratory there.
“If they had treated us fairly whether Kolmani, is Bauchi or Gombe, we will just remain mute, we will not say anything as time goes on the way and manner they are treating us as if we don’t know what we are doing is what provoked us to come out and voice out our grievance and tell the world this is our position that we are not ready to relinquish Kolmani which is in the process of annexation from the side of Bauchi through NNPC.”
How to forestall Niger Delta experiences
Inuwa dismissed fears that the alleged injustice could degenerate, noting that they were ready for dialogue.
He said, “We have heard about the challenges in the Niger Delta but sadly in this case it is government through NNPC selfish interest that is trying to create problem, and disharmony. Some of us we have our parents who came from the order side, Bauchi side, we go to their market, they come to our market. We inter marry, we are one. NNPC senior officers should remember the oath of allegiance, they first from Nigeria before considering themselves as indigenes of Bauchi.
“I don’t think it will escalate to the Niger Delta extent, from the onset if someone like Maikanti, he engaged both communities from the side of the boundary, it wouldn’t have escalated. Our doors are not closed for dialogue, I believe our leaders will resolve it amicably, we are not known with clashes resulting from boundaries especially in that area.”
Special Adviser to Gombe State Governor on Information Management and Strategy, Alh. Ahmed Gara-Gombe, blamed the boundary commission for the rising issues.
“The Truth of the Matter Kolmani oil well is in Gombe state, Akko local Government,Pindiga Emirate,Tai District, Kaltanga Mamuda Ward. It has nothing to do with Bauchi State or Alkaleri Local Government.
“If Putting the records straight is what is seen as crisis so be it.
“The National Boundary Commission,The NNPC are hypocrites in this matter, They know the Truth they should come out clean.”
Commenting further Gara-Gombe stated that the solution would be to give Gombe what belongs to it.
“Kolmani One is in Bauchi State in Alkeleri, Let them go and explore that one.Again we need an independent jury to determine and verify our claim. Our people whose land was dubiously taken for in the name of access road and were paid between N64,000 to N117,000 as compensation by NNPC must be paid appropriately.
“NNPC must go to Gombe side and also construct a road like they did on Bauchi side besides Pindiga (Gombe) to Kolmani is shorter and friendly terrain that From Bauchi which is longer and unfriendly terrain, Gara-Gombe added.
Way out
Inuwa urged leaders across State and Local Governments to be responsive, and not be suade by sentiments.
He said, “State and Local Governments should be more responsible and representative of our people.
“National boundaries commission should come and make immediate declaration with respect to the border between Bauchi and Gombe States, so much so that the problem will end.”
Salisu Mohammed, a resident of Pindiga said they would not allow themselves to be moved to Bauchi, adding that oil discovery should not be a reason to lose origin.
He said, “We are casting our votes with respect to State Assembly of Gombe and not bauchi House of Assembly. We will not be ready to be snatched because of oil to a different state.”
