From Ahmad Muhammadu, in Bauchi
The Minister for State, Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heinekan Lokpobiri has explained that the Federal government is renewing its commitment to the oil exploration of the Kolmani basin in Bauchi and Gombe States.
Minister Lokpobiri said this at the official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the permanent site of Bauchi oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri,
He said “The Federal Government is renewing its commitment to exploration of the Kolmani basin. When I became minister, my attention was drawn that the licensing for the Kolmani oil block has expired and the company couldn’t do anything, by one of your sons Bala Wunti who was the team lead of the Kolmani project.
“I consulted with Mr President and he gave an immediate order for me to renew all the licenses for the Kolmani project.
“That is to show that the President’s decision with energy security properly aligns with the vision of Governor Bala to develop the project in the Kolmani region.
“If you do exploration in the Kolmani region and you find major finds and you don’t have the manpower, it could be a concern, but with the skilled labour that is needed to service the Kolmani project, it will provide strategic support to the Kolmani project. Federal government will support your vision and align with you to ensure that we achieve the objective of this project.”
He said the sum of N17 billion has been released to Bauchi state to develop its oil and gas exploration and capacity building efforts.
“I commend Governor Bala Mohammed for being a visionary leader. Because of the global campaign on energy transition, a lot of people are thinking that oil and gas will not be the major source of energy globally, so there is limited investment. “The truth is that oil and gas will remain the most dominant source of energy globally for the foreseeable future. That is why I am excited that whereas others are thinking about not investing in oil and gas capacity building, the governor of Bauchi is thinking way ahead, and investing in the Bauchi Oil and gas academy.”
The minister said President Tinubu’s vision on energy security aligns totally with that of Governor Mohammed. “That is why the money (N17billion) that was not released under the previous administration, was released to you to enable you do projects that will add value to the oil and gas industry.”
“As a commitment to partnering with you, I came with the executive secretary of PTDF Alhaji Galadima because PTDF’s primary mandate is to continue to build the capacity of Nigerians on a continuous basis and also supports institution with infrastructure”
Lokpobiri described the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri as a significant institution that will provide the manpower required to service the oil and gas industry not only in Nigeria but globally.
The minister called on the youth that will be trained at the academy to take advantage of the opportunities to be trained in order be employed globally.
“I will work with the Bauchi state government to ensure that all things that are needed are done timely, because most countries and companies are coming to employ our people so take advantage to be trained and employed, not just in West Africa, but in the world.”
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed thanked President Tinubu for the release of N17 billion and assured that his administration would continue to partner with the federal government to move the country forward.
“We believe in the Nigeria federation, we believe in the divisibility of Nigeria and we want to bring something on board into the treasury of the federal government,”
Governor Bala said: “We don’t want to be considered as parasites, we want to contribute to the sources of revenue that is why we are working hard to develop the oil and gas, solid minerals, and agriculture can move us out of the problem of excruciating pain before we pay salaries and do our programmes”
He said the flag off of the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri marked a significant milestone in his administration’s quest to develop vocational education and enhance women and youth empowerment in oil and gas sector of the country“The idea to establish the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri was conceived in 2021 following the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the Kolmani area of Alkaleri and Gombe state by the NNPCL and its partners,”
“The academy is therefore meant to provide the skilled manpower required to fast-track oil and gas exploration in the Kolmani oil field and other areas in the country.
“It is also an indication of our unwavering commitment to impact vocational and technical skill to our teeming youth to make them more productive in line with the economic empowerment and skill development programme of our administration.
“As a state we are ready to partner with the federal government.I must acknowledge that this school that we are building today the Buhari administration approved N17 billion for us and Tinubu administration released N17 billion and it is out of it that we are using N6 billion to build the school”
