Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Islie: 9:02am On Dec 05, 2022 |
•Four oil wells are in Gombe, boundary commission hypocritical, says gov’s special adviser
•Kolmani is in Gombe, late NNPC GMD misled Buhari, N’Delta scenario looms – Residents
•Matter taking different dimension, Bauchi gov will consult, commissioner assures stakeholdersA crisis appears to be brewing over the ownership of the Kolmani Oil and Gas field as both Bauchi and Gombe States have started laying claims to the oil wells.
Officials and residents of the two states have also accused each other of attempting to appropriate the site which is said to contain one billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 500 billion standard cubic feet of gas.
The development is coming barely two weeks after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), inaugurated oil exploration at the Kolmani oil field by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited and its joint venture partners.
Kolmani in North-East Nigeria reportedly has oil in commercial quantities with Oil Prospecting Licences 809 and 810, cutting across Kolmani One, Two, Three, Four and Five.
Speaking during the event, Buhari disclosed that the project has attracted over $3bn investments so far.
The president said, “We are pleased with the current discovery of over 1b barrels of oil reserves and 500 billion Cubic Feet of Gas within the Kolmani area and the huge potential for more deposits as we intensify exploration efforts.’’
“It is, therefore, to the credit of this administration that at a time when there is near zero appetite for investment in fossil energy, coupled with the location challenges, we are able to attract investment of over $3bn to this project,” he added.
Buhari noted that the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states had given assurances of their unwavering commitment and willingness to ensure support and cooperation in the localities.
However, the governors’ assurances seemed to have been forgotten as the two states declared that they were the rightful owners of the oil-rich field.
Gombe claims ownership
While insisting on Gombe’s ownership of the contentious Kolmani field, the Special Adviser to Gombe State Governor on Information Management and Strategy, Alhaji Ahmed Gara-Gombe, blamed the boundary commission for the controversy.
He stated, “The truth of the matter is that the Kolmani oil well is in Gombe State; Akko Local Government, Pindiga emirate, Tai district, Kaltanga Mamuda ward. It has nothing to do with Bauchi State or Alkaleri Local Government.
“If putting the records straight is what is seen as a crisis, so be it. The National Boundary Commission, the NNPC are hypocrites in this matter, they know the truth and they should come out clean.”
According to Gara-Gombe, the solution is to give Gombe what belongs to it, adding, “Kolmani One is in Bauchi State in Alkeleri, let them go and explore that one. Four oil wells are in Gombe.’’
He noted, ‘’Again, we need an independent jury to determine and verify our claims. Our people whose land was dubiously taken in the name of access road and were paid between N64,000 to N117,000 as compensation by the NNPC must be paid appropriately.
“NNPC must go to Gombe side and also construct a road like they did on the Bauchi side. Besides, Pindiga (Gombe) to Kolmani is shorter and friendly terrain than the Bauchi (side) which is longer and an unfriendly terrain.’’
Stakeholder reacts
Echoing the governor’s aide, a lawyer, Abdullahi Inuwa, blamed a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC who passed on recently, for awarding the land to Bauchi State.
The late NNPC GMD was reportedly an indigene of Misau, Bauchi State.
Inuwa explained that their grouse was not with the Federal Government but the NNPC, noting that the president was misguided on the true owners of the land.
He stated, “The true position is we did not accuse the Federal Government directly but our accusation points at the NNPC, not the Federal Government per say. We are accusing the NNPC, since the late GMD’s time, of manipulation; for trying to create a smokescreen by portraying the fact that Kolmani is in Bauchi, while Kolmani is in Gombe.
“There is a village head of Kolmani, who is answerable to the district head, who is also answerable to the Pindiga emirate under the Akko Local Government. Our position is that Kolmani is in Gombe, not in Bauchi.
‘’The Federal Government or the President has been misled by the NNPC especially the highest ranking officers of the NNPC that are of Bauchi State origin,” Inuwa further alleged.
He declined to speak further on how the late NNPC GMD allegedly caused the brewing feud, but simply claimed that the NNPC had shown preference for Bauchi State.
He said, “If you go to Misau, you will see so many developments made by the NNPC in Misau, where the late GMD came from. On the issue of boreholes constructed by the NNPC in the area, there are more boreholes on the side of Bauchi and less on the side of Gombe.
“Also, that area in Bauchi where oil is alleged to have been discovered from the borders, all the fenced block is on the side of Gombe, there is no area on the side of Bauchi surrounded by walls where oil is to be drilled.
‘’And not only that, if you are to go to Barambu during the late NNPC GMD’s administration, I was informed about a store constructed by the NNPC in Barambu, which is part of Bauchi and I was told there is a laboratory there.
“If they had treated us fairly whether Kolmani is in Bauchi or Gombe, we would just remain mute, we would not say anything. As time goes on, the way and manner they are treating us as if we don’t know what we are doing is what provoked us to come out and voice out our grievances and also tell the world that this is our position; that we are not ready to relinquish Kolmani which is in the process of annexation from the side of Bauchi through the NNPC.”
Inuwa gave the assurance that the contention would not degenerate into violence, noting that they were ready for dialogue.
He said, “We have heard about the challenges in the Niger Delta but sadly in this case it is the government through the NNPC’s selfish interest that is trying to create problems and disharmony.
‘’Some of us have parents who hailed from the other side, Bauchi side; we go to their market, they come to our market. We inter-marry, we are one. NNPC’s senior officers should remember the oath of allegiance; they are first from Nigeria before considering themselves as indigenes of Bauchi.’’
Speaking further, he stated, “I don’t think it will escalate to the Niger Delta extent. From the outset, if someone like the late NNPC GMD had engaged both communities from both sides of the boundary, it wouldn’t have escalated. Our doors are not closed for dialogue, I believe our leaders will resolve it amicably.’’
Resident speaks
A resident of Pindiga, Gombe State, Salisu Mohammed, said they would not allow themselves to be moved to Bauchi, adding that oil discovery should not be a reason to lose one’s origin.
He said, “We are casting our votes with respect to the state Assembly of Gombe and not Bauchi House of Assembly. We are not ready to be snatched because of oil to a different state.”
Bauchi govt reacts
Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone, the Commissioner for Information, Bauchi State, Yakubu Ningi, said that the state government would consult widely before making its position on the matter known to the public.
He said, “Although the governor has been invited to speak on the matter on a television programme, he did not go because he realised that the matter is taking a different dimension.
“He wants to have wider consultations after which the Bauchi State government’s position on the matter will be made public. His Excellency said you’ll need to give us some time to articulate our position before going to press later on.”
‘Bauchi owns Kolmani’
Reacting to Gombe’s claims over the oil field, Muhammad Bako, the member representing Pali Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly where the area is situated, stressed that the area belonged to Bauchi.
He added, “This issue is not an issue for the youths because when you bring in the youths, the issue has become a child’s play. They are being sponsored by people and they don’t know exactly where the boundary is.
“The chairman of the National Boundary Commission hails from Gombe State, but when the issue of verifying the boundary came up, he went and saw it (the boundary); they were thinking the boundary was in Gombe.
“But when they saw it, they left and never returned because they saw the truth that the oil was in Bauchi and not in Gombe. And you know when people want to cause problems or crisis, they use the youths but I am calling on them not to cause trouble that will consume them. They are being sponsored by people who don’t know anything about this oil.”
Going down memory lane, the lawmaker said that the oil was first discovered when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was a minister.
Bako argued, “This oil was first discovered when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the minister of works; that was when the history of this oil started. Then, during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, he started drilling the oil at Barumbu and then he died.
“When Olusegun Obasanjo came in, he allegedly sent (messages) and the oil well was reportedly blocked, and the issue was no longer talked about. So, when Buhari came, he started the drilling again.’’
“The one (oil well) in Barumbu was just flushed. And then, two new ones were drilled. The one that was flushed in Barumbu and the two new ones are not in Gombe. The boundary between Bauchi and Gombe and these oil wells is up to 20 kilometers,” he stated.
To buttress his argument that the area belongs to Bauchi, the lawmaker said all the communities in the jurisdiction were paying taxes to the state government.
He added, “There are traditional rulers in Bauchi and Gombe states. Those communities where the oil has been found, all their traditional leaders pay their taxes to the Bauchi State government. The traditional rulers in Gombe have been paying their taxes to Gombe over the past 100 years.
“So, if a traditional ruler dies in any of those communities, would a new one be installed by Gombe State? He will be installed by Bauchi State government, and not Gombe. And because of that, they have no excuse.”
The lawmaker sued for peace, admonishing the people of the area not to encourage militancy over the oil discovery.
Reacting to Bako’s claims, the media aide to Gombe governor, Gara-Gombe, simply stated, “Does it mean that the chairman of the National Boundary Commission who is from there, who is their son, has rejected his home state and is now supporting Bauchi? Do they love Gombe more than he does? You need to ask him to give you an answer.”
Boundary commission reacts
Commenting on the controversy, Deputy Director, National Boundary Commission, Mr Emmanuel Bulus, said the agency was not aware of the contention over the oil field.
When asked if the NBC would address the tussle, he said only the director-general of the commission, Adamu Adaji, could speak on the matter, adding that he was out of Abuja at the moment.
On his part, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Garba-Deen Muhammad, said attention should rather be focused on oil production from the wells at the moment.
“Let us worry more about oil supply for now. This one (ownership tussle) can wait,” he stated. https://punchng.com/bauchi-gombe-fight-over-new-oil-wells/?amp 2 Likes
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Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Omihanifa: 9:06am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Everyone knows the oil well belong to gombe All the demarcated areas consisting of the drilled wells and wells yet to be drilled are parts of Gombe. Bauchi is just laying claims to it because gombe used to be under bauchi before. 47 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by slivertongue: 9:07am On Dec 05, 2022 |
The Dutch disease affecting both state. Resources curse wahala 32 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by fuckJones(f): 9:13am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Atiku: I will make education compulsory and affordable.
Kwankwaso to Atiku - Reduce your private University school fees first. 154 Likes 17 Shares |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Tunechi5(m): 9:13am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Ok |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by ThiefnubuBandit(f): 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Head slammers will soon consume themselves. 24 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Juniorpope123: 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
v |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by iLegendd(m): 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
God is answering Niger Delta's prayer. They need more oil for the confusion and corruption to continue. Mehn, it will be bloody in the North 20 years from now because of oil.
The crisis in the Niger Delta will be child's play. Technology and agriculture will give us peace of mind in this country, not oil. 71 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Softmirror: 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
INSTEAD OF THEM TO LEARN FROM IGBOS. THAT MEANS ABOKIS WOULD HAVE BEHAVED THE SAME IN THE 60S HAD IT BEEN THEY ARE THE ONES WITH CRUDE. 2 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Rainstormer: 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Let them start fighting now... Atleast, their banditry will decrease in the Niger Delta and possibly spare us the unity crap 29 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Bosenan: 9:14am On Dec 05, 2022 |
dd |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Pio44: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Fight with bomb, una get many 17 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by princepee: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
![](/faces/huh.png) The thing way never even mature fight Don start! The thing way Boko Haram go soon take over. Remain me or what is happening in Chad basin. And zamfara gold mining sites. The north is enemy to it self. 21 Likes 3 Shares |
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Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Moseshasss: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
OIL �️ WELL BELONGS TO GOMBE... IT'S WAS MAIKANTI THE FORMER NNPC DG THAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM BY INCLUDING BAUCHI... 1 Like |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Tradepunter2: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
hahahah |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Sirheny007(m): 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Very good! The vices coming up from north has just taken another dimension. Almajiris now have work. ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) Good! Expect militias to sprout up here and there. When the gods want to kill you, they first give you a blessing. 2 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by azpekuliar: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
slivertongue: The Dutch disease affecting both state. Resources curse wahala Even before commercial exploration has begun ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) Next is armed conflict, and the poverty cycle still continues 11 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by ecolime(m): 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
The curse don reach North. Oil wey dem never even start commercial drilling oo ![shocked](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/shocked.gif) 4 Likes |
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Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Blake755: 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Sometimes some blessings ended up being a curse to us ![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png) 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Iliveforever(m): 9:15am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Las las na this oil go break the unity for north ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) 12 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by ganisucks(f): 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Which yeye oil wells. There is no oil in the north. Who dash fat boy cake! 11 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by lomprico(m): 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Radaradarada |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by TyyT22(m): 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Lies!! No oil anywhere in the North, all na scam. Since when Nigeria government begin discover oil themselves. I'm from the Niger Delta, most oil discovery were made by foreign oil company, but this political discovery by Nigeria FG I no trust am. Let them show us from scanned mechine what the oil well looks like and the capacity. All na wey to syphon monies as oil derivative. North and politics na 5&6 I cut cap for them. ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) 24 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Agbadocassava: 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
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Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by blaqhat: 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
behold the fight |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by oneclickng: 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Aboki killing Aboki over a few drops of oil. 2 Likes |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by INVINCIBLECSP1(m): 9:16am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Is like this oil of a thing is a curse to Africans. Other countries are using theirs to better their economy and wellbeing of their people. But here we use ours to cause pollution, environmental degredation, fight stealing and all.
Na who curse the blackan now. Chai!!!!!! 1 Share
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Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by michoim(m): 9:17am On Dec 05, 2022 |
They have started...Greed |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by Lovenorth: 9:17am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Greediness would consume all of us if care is not taken 1 Like |
Re: Bauchi, Gombe Fight Over New Oil Wells by uncleck: 9:17am On Dec 05, 2022 |
Time to have a taste of Niger Delta dilemma for decades... |