Government officials from Gombe and Bauchi States have met with representatives of NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and African Oil Movement Limited (AOML) to address operational concerns affecting the Kolmani Oil Field project.
The two-day engagement, which held at the Government House in Gombe on May 21 and 22, was aimed at clarifying actions taken by AOML, correcting observed lapses, and aligning operations with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, Gombe State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the Joint Committee comprising representatives from both states identified four key areas requiring immediate attention.
According to Pindiga, the concerns include land acquisition issues, mishandling of Freedom To Operate (FTO) procedures, non-compliance with Community Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations by AOML, and a lack of effective communication between operators and stakeholders.
“To address these concerns, the committee resolved that land acquisition will proceed once AOML submits required payment documentation,” the commissioner stated.
He added that NEPL would follow up with AOML to ensure the prompt settlement of FTO fees for drilling activities.
The committee further resolved that a comprehensive Needs Assessment would be conducted across host and impacted communities to guide future CSR interventions.
A structured communication protocol is also to be established to enhance engagement between Kolmani operators and relevant stakeholders.
Participants at the meeting welcomed the dialogue, describing it as a timely intervention aimed at avoiding challenges witnessed in other oil-producing areas.
They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the Kolmani Oil Field project adheres to legal frameworks and delivers economic benefits to host communities.
The officials expressed optimism that the long-envisioned oil and gas development in northern Nigeria would be actualized through the Kolmani project.
