Federal Government has commenced a comprehensive verification of disputed and recently drilled crude oil and gas fields and wells across the Niger Delta region.
Speaking to journalists in Asaba, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, emphasized that the move is aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of oil-derived revenues to all producing states.
“This initiative is aligned with the legal framework,” Shehu stated, referencing paragraph 32(a), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to Shehu, the verification became necessary following formal petitions from several governors — including those from Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers — seeking to clarify ownership and boundary lines of key oil and gas assets.
The exercise is being undertaken by an Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) composed of officials from the RMAFC, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF), and the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
“We announce the inauguration of the IATC and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to accurately identify the locations of crude oil and gas fields and wells within the disputed areas and the newly drilled crude oil and gas wells,” Shehu declared.
He reiterated the constitutional mandate of the RMAFC to monitor inflows into and distributions from the Federation Account.
Shehu specifically pointed to disputes involving assets such as the Aneize oil field in OML 143 and the Eyine and Ameshi fields, which have been the subject of concern between states like Anambra, Imo, and Delta.
“In Delta, we shall examine the identified locations and verify the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells within the area spanning from 2017 to date,” he noted.
The exercise is expected to extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra in response to similar boundary and revenue allocation concerns.
Geospatial data supplied by the NUPRC will be central to the process, with the Surveyor-Generals of the affected states participating as observers to ensure transparency.
“Our task is to plot the coordinates of the newly identified crude oil and gas fields and wells in officially recognised oil-rich zones,” Shehu explained.
“This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to support the commission in obtaining precise location data for these assets, ensuring that the 13 per cent derivation fund is equitably disbursed to the rightful boundary states among the oil-producing areas.”
He described the initiative as a proactive step by the Federal Government to address long-standing inter-state disputes.
“This initiative is essential to ensure that every oil and gas producing state receives its rightful share of the resources, to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the Federation Account,” he said.
“By promoting transparency and fairness, we are laying the groundwork for a more stable and conducive environment for continued exploration and development across the region,” Shehu concluded.
(NAN)
