The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to reviving exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, months after operations at the site were suspended.
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Bello, gave the assurance on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field at Barumbu in Alkaleri local government area.
Bello said the commission visited the site to assess the current situation and advocate the resumption of the project, describing the oil exploration as critical to Bauchi, the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.
He said the commission wanted the momentum generated by the project after its official launch in 2023 to be restored.
“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return. We want to verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this important project to continue,” he said.
The RMAFC chairman said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was concerned about the project and had assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states that efforts would be made to mobilise resources for its continuation.
He added that the commission would assess the project and submit its findings to relevant authorities while continuing to monitor developments through its oil and gas committee.
Bello also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, commending the state government for establishing an institution capable of producing manpower for the oil and gas sector.
Earlier, Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, disclosed that exploration activities at the oil field had stopped since July 2025.
He said the state government had engaged the technical company handling the project after receiving reports from host communities that the company was demobilising from the site.
According to him, the state subsequently formed a joint team with the local government to engage the company and discuss the situation.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the RMAFC visit could help revive activities at the oil field.
He said the Bauchi State Government, under Governor Bala Mohammed, remained prepared to provide the manpower and other necessary support to facilitate the resumption of exploration.