The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Bayo Ojulari, has stated that, plans are on way to resume crude oil exploration activities in Kolmani of Gombe State.
Mr Ojulari made the disclosure in an interview with BBC service.
According to him, the company is fully prepared to return to the Kolmani oilfields sites, which had generated high expectations among northern communities.
“NNPCL is ready to resume oil drilling in Kolmani. We have completed critical assessments and are set to move forward,” Ojulari stated.
He emphasised that the project is not only about boosting national oil output but also about stimulating regional economic development.
“This effort will bring progress to the North, attract new industries, and revive existing ones,” he said.
Ojulari added that alongside the Kolmani operations, NNPCL is also advancing work on strategic gas infrastructure projects which if well set the, pipeline would help power industries and reduce transportation costs across northern Nigeria.
He further urged the public to give their support and cooperation so that together development to the region will be achieved and Nigeria as a whole.
Speaking on the alleged rift between Dangote and NNPCL, he praised Aliko Dangote and assured that NNPCL will work closely with him to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable petrol.
He emphasised that the public will no longer hear of any conflict between NNPCL and the Dangote Group.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the Kolmani oil exploration project was inaugurated in November 2022 by President Buhari as a historic step in diversifying Nigeria’s oil production beyond the Niger Delta.
However, operations were stalled due to technical and logistical challenges.
