Tension as sets insists Kolmani oil wells belongs to Bauchi State

The statement credited to the former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje that there is a dispute between Bauchi and Gombe states over the ownership of Kolmani oil wells has continued to elicit reactions.

Goje was reported in recent time to have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in order to determine who owns the newly discovered oil wells between the two states with a view to averting conflict.

But a community Organisation in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state known as ‘Alkaleri Development Foundation’ in a statement issued by its Chairman, Barrister Muslim Maigari, insisted that the oil wells are located in Barambu village in the local government.

“Our attention is drawn to a statement credited to our elder statesman, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje during a retreat organized for the newly appointed commissioners of Gombe State calling on the federal government to intervene in order to determine who owns the Kolman oil wells.

“We view this statement with concern because it is needless because the wells are situated in Barambu village of Maimadi Ward in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state.

”Although, the Kolman river is the territorial demarcation of the borderline between Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State and Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State,” he claimed.

Maigari who expressed confidence that the area has significant oil and gas prospects that may extend to some areas in Gombe State, said the host communities of the drilling activities are indigenous communities to Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State.

“It is Alkaleri Local government that provides them with basic amenities like hospital, water, school, security, market, polio and immunization programmes. In fact, when they vote during elections, their votes are collated at INEC office in Alkaleri.

“The area was part of my constituency during last general election when I contested for the House of Representatives to represent Alkaleri/Kirfi Federal Constituency. I was in those communities for campaign several times. I still visit in order to sustain my structures.

“This statement becomes necessary in order to clear the air and put things in correct perspectives,” the statement reads.