Kolmani oilfield: Host community faults FG election-season promises

The Pali Development Association, representing the host community of the Kolmani oil field in Bauchi State, Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to move beyond mere statements and verification visits. They are demanding concrete actions for the immediate remobilization of exploration activities at the site.

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We cannot continue to be treated as an electoral audience because we understand that it is an election period. We look at it as a promise presently made because the election is approaching. We have had promises before.

The association specifically cautioned the government against leveraging the Kolmani oil exploration project as a political campaign tool ahead of the 2027 general elections. Hashim Pali, the association's chairman, stated that while the community welcomes any genuine commitment to resuming and completing exploration, this commitment must be demonstrated through action, not just words.

"We cannot continue to be treated as an electoral audience because we understand that it is an election period. We look at it as a promise presently made because the election is approaching. We have had promises before," Pali said. He recalled President Bola Tinubu's campaign commitments in 2023 regarding the project's continuation.

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Our expectation and the expectation of the people of Bauchi State and the entire North-East was that upon the assumption of President Bola Tinubu into office, his administration would sustain the momentum and ensure that the project proceeded towards actual exploration and production.

Pali expressed disappointment that after President Tinubu assumed office, exploration activities halted, and equipment was evacuated. "Our expectation and the expectation of the people of Bauchi State and the entire North-East was that upon the assumption of President Bola Tinubu into office, his administration would sustain the momentum and ensure that the project proceeded towards actual exploration and production," he stated.

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But unfortunately, after the administration assumed office, rather than witnessing the expected continuation and acceleration of the development of the project, the Kolmani site stopped. They evacuated all the equipment there.

"But unfortunately, after the administration assumed office, rather than witnessing the expected continuation and acceleration of the development of the project, the Kolmani site stopped. They evacuated all the equipment there," Pali lamented. He questioned the renewed government interest now that another election cycle is approaching, asking, "What happened to the last three years? It is only now that the government is interested?"

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What happened to the last three years? It is only now that the government is interested?