President Muhammadu Buhari has performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810 at the Kolmani field located in Bauchi and Gombe states.
The Kolmani field is the first oil drilling site in Northern Nigeria, following the discovery of oil in commercial volume in the region about two years ago.
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It is expected that the first project would entail an oil refinery of up to 120,000 barrels per day, gas processing plant of up to 500 million standard cubic per day, a Power Plant of up to 300megawatt Capacity and a Fertilizer plant of 2,500 tons per day.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony President Buhari said the succefull discovery of oil in the Kolmani Oil Field has broken the jeanks of oil discovery in upper Benue Trougph apart from the Niger Delta.
Buhari said he has directed the NNPC to continue exploration in the North East region to fast attract investments for economic prosperity in the region and the country at large.
The Group Managing Director NNPC Mele Kyari, who thanked the President for his doggedness amidst economic turmoil for ensuring the success of the flagging up of the oil rig, said the region would open up socio-ecnomic development of the country.
The Governor of Bauchi State Senator Bala Muhammad and his Gombe counterpart Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya said the historic event will leave a landmark, stressing that there would be no conflict between the two states.
They pledged that agreement has been going on for collaboration for more discovery and exploration of more oil and gas resources for economic development, investments and trades for the two states.
“History will remember you as the brain behind the successful search for Oil in some Northern states which led to the discovery of the Oil in commercial quantity in Bauchi, Gombe States,” Governor Bala said.
“We are proud to associate ourselves with this key milestone achievement of the first official Drilling of Oil at the Kolmani River II Oil Field Project site in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State
“Your patriotism, selfless service and commitment to the development of Nigeria is indelible and will remain forever. The people Bauchi State, North East and other Nigerians welcome you to this historical event.”
Earlier, President Buhari, who was conveyed in a chopper to the drilling site around 11:45am, landed at the Kolmani field in Barambu village in Alkaleri local government area of the state where he was welcomed by the North-east governors and eminent politicians of the northern extraction.
The President was received by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, and Babagana Zulum of Borno State amongst others.
Already seated awaiting the President’s arrival not far from the Kolmani Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810 at the Kolmani field site which will mark the first oil drilling in Northern Nigeria Bauchi and Gombe States were high profile personalities from all walks of life.
Among them were the President of the Senate Ahmed Lawal, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, almost all the Northern Governors, traditional rulers from across the North East, Ministers, Captains of Industries as well as well meaning Nigerians.
A mammoth crowd of distinguished Nigerians witnessed the Historic Presidential Flag off Ceremony of the Kolmani Integrated Development Project KIPRO of Oil Prospecting Licenses OPLS 809 and 810 at the Kolmani Field Site that straddles Bauchi and Gombe states.
Buhari flagged off the landmark spud-in ceremony of Kolmani River II Well, and after eight months exploration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited (formerly Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) announced the discovery of crude oil, gas and condensate in the Kolmani River region at the border community between Bauchi and Gombe states
