House Rejects Motion To Declare Bauchi Oil-Producing State

The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday rejected a motion which sought the federal government to declare Bauchi as an oil and gas producing state.

The sponsor of the motion, Hon. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, while moving the motion, also prayed that the House should mandate the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to invite the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to give comprehensive representation on the level of work in the oil exploration currently undertaken in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state as well as the successes recorded.

He recalled that on February 2019 President Muhamadu Buhari flagged off the spud-in of Kolmani river well drilling in Bauchi State, and directed NNPC to extend its exploration to six basins in the country.

The lawmaker opined that it has become imperative to ascertain the fortunes at the disposal of the federal government in Alkaleri LGA so as to hasten the process of giving effect to the provisions of the new Petroleum Industry Bill 2021 just passed by the National Assembly in terms of the economic benefit the host communities stand to gain.

He said he’s aware that any community from whose location oil is discovered and or produced is entitled to several extra revenues, which is special attention for the sake of the environment, infrastructure and health impact.

According to him, “It’s important for the people of Bauchi State to start benefiting from the 13 percent derivation being the host community incentives provided for by the law.”

When put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, majority of the lawmakers screamed: ‘Nay’.