Kolmani oil wells: rift between Bauchi and Gombe emboldens as group warns Goje

Bauchi and Gombe may enter an unending dispute over ownership of oil wells. A recent statement credited to former governor of Gombe state, now Senator Danjuma Goje quoted him requesting President Buhari’s intervention to determine who owns the kolmani oil wells in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi state.

Barrister Muslim Maigari, Chairman, Alkaleri Development Foundation in a statement made available to news men in Bauchi, warned the former Governor to stop instigating rift between the two states, insisting that the oil wells are located in Barambu village in Alkaleri LGA.

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“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 kolmani oil wells”, the statement read in parts.

Maigari added that, “we view this statement with concern because it is needless;the wells are situated in Barambu village of Maimadi Ward in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state.

“Although the kolmani river is the territorial demarcation of the borderline between Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state and Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi state.

“While we are confident that the area has significant oil and gas prospects that may extend to some areas in Gombe State, it suffices to say that the host communities of the drilling activities are indigenous communities to Alkaleri.

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“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”, he said.

Maigari insisted that the disputed area was part of his constituency even when he contested for House of Representatives. “I was in those communities for campaign several times. “I still visit in order to sustain my structures”, he concludes.