By Najib Sani, Gombe
High-powered delegations from Bauchi and Gombe States have visited Kolmani oil exploration site to inspect and assess work peogress.
Our correspondent reports that the team comprises the Bauchi State commissioner of Natural Resources Development, Muhammad Maiwada Bello, Commissioner of Commerce trade & investment, Muhammad Salis Gamawa, and Commissioner of energy and Mineral Resources of Gombe State, Sunusi Ahmad Pindiga.
The commissioners expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the project.
They requested handlers of the project to provide the overview, including the expected completion time to enable close monitoring and interventions where necessary.
While commending the management of NNPCL for giving fair hearing to affected states, the commissioners charged them to expedite the completion of the project with a view to mitigating revenue leakages and boosting the economy of the area and Nigeria as a whole.
According to them, the northern community is eager to know the position of the project, tasking all stakeholders to push the project to completion.
“We need to ensure that the project is completed on time and meets the expectations of the people of Bauchi and Gombe States.
“The project is crucial to the development of our states, and we need to ensure that it is completed without further delays. We will work closely with the company to address the concerns of the host community” Bauchi commissioner for natural resources said.
Also speaking, Sunusi Ahmad Pindiga, Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources of Gombe State, emphasised the need of providing the comprehensive update on the project.
“The project is a vital component of our states’ development plans, and we need to ensure that it is completed on time and within budget. We will work closely with the company to address any challenges and ensure the project’s success”, he said.
Responding, the manager of AOML, Unique, Base, promised to forward the complaints shared by the two states to the higher authorities for appropriate action.
He appreciated the cordial relationship with the host communities of Bauchi and Gombe States and described the joint session as a great achievement.