Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, to discuss pressing issues affecting the state and the nation, particularly food security and economic development.
Yahaya disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He expressed optimism about the president’s commitment to addressing the current economic situation and improving Nigeria’s standing among developed nations. He highlighted the state’s agricultural potential, with 75-80% of the population engaged in livestock or crop production.
Governor Yahaya expressed confidence that with the recent interventions and the expected good harvest, Gombe State will double its food production compared to last year.
Yahaya also expressed disappointment over the delay in the take-off of oil drilling activities in Northern Nigeria, particularly at the Kolmani Oil Field.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the Kolmani Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810, located in Bauchi and Gombe States, was supervised by former President Muhammadu Buhari almost two years ago.
He emphasised that the delay in the project’s commencement has significant implications for the state and the nation. He highlighted that the project includes a 250,000-capacity refinery, a 350MW power plant, and a 2,000-ton fertilizer plant, which were supposed to be operational by now. However, due to issues with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the project’s partners, the project has not taken off.
Yahaya expressed hope that with the intervention of President Tinubu, the project will finally get back on track.
He noted that petroleum and gas are under the exclusive list of federal government powers, making it challenging for states to handle these projects independently.
Speaking on the issue, Governor Yahaya stated: “It is really very unfortunate development as you said close to two years now after the foundation laying for an integrated institute development comprises of 250,000 capacity refinery and 350 megawatts of power plant and 2000 tons capacity fertiliser plant which was supposed to take off since then but because I think there are some issues with the NNPC and also the partners that are engaged or developers those issues really have strangled operation to take off and the fact is part of the discussion, I had with Mr President believing that once he steps in maybe we will see activities back for the fact that petroleum and gas are under the exclusive list. There’s nothing much we can do, NNPC is the only company that is to handle anything gas or petroleum of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such Presidential intervention which just came and sought for will really make the things to turn back and activities will resume on the sight as soon as possible.”
Other News
The Kolmani Oil Field, which traverses both Bauchi and Gombe States, was projected to generate about 50,000 barrels of crude oil every day. The discovery of commercial quantities of oil in the region has significant economic potential, but the delay in its development has been a major concern for the states involved.
Yahaya also discussed his recent trip to Morocco, where he sought to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of livestock and crop production.
He noted that Morocco’s success in agriculture despite facing desertification and low rainfall serves as a model for Gombe State and Nigeria as a whole.
On the issue of insecurity, Yahaya said his state has been relatively secure compared to other states in the region. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with neighbouring states in the Northeast sub-region and the wider North to restore normalcy and address the root causes of the current food crisis.
To support peasant farmers and increase food production, he said his administration has revived the cooperative system and provided direct support to farmers. The state has also embarked on a cassava production initiative, targeting 1,000 hectares of land in the current farming season.
