By Emmanuel Nduka
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday flagged off oil exploration activities at the 1bn barrels reserves in Kolmani river, northern Nigeria.
The Kolmani Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810 will be the first oil drilling site in northern Nigeria, following the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the region about two years ago.
The president conducted the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kolmani field site located in Bauchi and Gombe states.
With the discovery and exploration of oil in the state, both Bauchi and Gombe states may in the near future begin to benefit from the 13% derivation from oil accruals to states.
It may also reduce the over dependency on the oil-rich Niger Delta region for the country’s crude supplies.