Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed its plans to resume the drilling of crude oil in the northern part of Nigeria.
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, reportedly said in an interview with BBC Hausa on Monday, May 12.
The drilling activities are to resume at the Kolmani oil field, located on the border between Bauchi and Gombe States, nearly after two years of inactivity at the site.
Ojulari said preparations were underway to relaunch the project, which initially began during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We will continue to work with the government in Kolmani and other areas. Besides the oil drilling work, we will also ensure that we complete the gas pipeline project from Ajaokuta to Kano.“The projects would allow the previously closed businesses to be reopened so that they could continue to operate and open new ones,” he was quoted to have said.
The ICIR reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari had in November 2022 flagged off the Kolmani Integrated Development Project (KIPRO) situated in the boundary of Bauchi and Gombe states.
In his chat with BBC, however, Ojulari emphasised that NNPCL is now ready to revive the project.
He believes the project if revived, is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s oil production and offer new economic opportunities for the region.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama