Some experts in Bauchi and Gombe have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over successful commencement of oil exploration at Kolmani River Oil Field in the North-East region.The experts also urged the Federal Government to ensure strict compliance to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and environmental laws to enhance oil exploration and protect the environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari on Tuesday performed the official ground-breaking ceremony of the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPLs) 809 and 810 at the Kolmani River Well II.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, in October 2019, announced the discovery of crude oil, gas and condensate in the Kolmani River.
The commercial quantity discovery was the first in the region after several crude oil exploration on the Upper Benue Trough.
The oilfield would be developed by Sterling Global Oil, New Nigeria Development Commission (NNDC) and the NNPC Ltd.
The historic event signalled commencement of commercial oil drilling and exploration in the northern region.
The experts including the academics, environmentalists, activists and residents made the commendation while reacting to the official inauguration of upstream activities at the Kolmani oil field on the borders of Bauchi and Gombe States.
They said the measure was imperative to guard against repeat of negative social, economic and environmental impacts associated with oil exploration in the Niger Delta region.
Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, Chairman, Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Gombe State, said strict adherence to PIA would help address challenges being experienced in oil producing states in the country.
According to him, there are concerns that what is happening in the Niger Delta in terms of militancy, poverty and environmental degradation will manifest in communities around Kolmani oil field.
Yusuf, however, said the provisions of the PIA would address such challenges towards ensuring clean exploration of the oil field for the development of the states and the country at large.
A Gombe-based environmentalist, Mr Ismail Bima advised the government to assess the environmental challenges being faced by communities in Kolmani area and work towards addressing them.
He listed some of challenges to include water scarcity, desertification, erosion and deforestation.
Ismail, also the Chief Executive Officer, Jewel Environmental Initiative (JEI), an NGO, said failure to address such environmental challenges might trigger more environmental hazards and restiveness in the long run.
He said the federal government needed to launch an environmental blueprint to address the current challenges while working towards mitigating the environmental hazards linked to oil exploration.
Also, Malam Isa Muhammadu, Head of Kafin Abas community in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, advised companies working on the Kolmani oil field to prioritise social responsibility component.
He urged the companies to build schools to educate children and youths to reduce illiteracy rate and curb social vices.
The community leader also appealed to the companies to employ youths and cater for the elderly who could not cultivate their farmlands.
“About 23 three years ago; they came to commence oil exploration but it stopped, we don’t know what happened.
“It was during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, they constructed a road purposely to move to the site.
“They cut down trees and vandalised our farms, we did not get compensation because we are not educated.
“It is good for government and oil firms to engage the communities around Kolmani oil field in a friendly manner,” he said.
For his part, Abdullahi Yelwa, a lecturer, Department of Crime Management and Control (CMC), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, described the oil exploration as “good development”.
He said the development would further stabilise the economy and political atmosphere in the country.
The don, however, prayed that the oil discovery would not open windows for corruption and laxity where people would be eating without doing anything or working for it.
“It is hope that people will not leave their farms, ignore farming activities. We pray that authorities will establish relevant industries to enhance utilisation of crude oil and by-products.
“This will help in producing things like fertiliser to boost agriculture and other materials needed by the populace to boost small businesses and industries,” he said.
