FG has launched verification of disputed Oil and Gas fields in Niger Delta.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has begun verifying disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields across the Niger Delta to resolve ownership claims and ensure fair revenue sharing among producing states.
Speaking in Asaba, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, said the exercise is in line with paragraph 32(a), Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
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According to him, the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) has been inaugurated to identify the precise locations of oil and gas wells in disputed areas and validate new drilling sites.
“The Constitution empowers RMAFC to monitor accruals into and disbursements from the Federation Account. This initiative is also a response to concerns raised by governors of some states, such as Anambra-Imo and Anambra-Delta, over ownership and boundary issues,” Shehu explained.
He cited the Aneize oil field within OML 143, as well as the Eyine and Ameshi fields, among assets under review. In Delta, the team will also examine the coordinates of oil and gas wells drilled between 2017 and date.
Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Others Included
The RMAFC boss said the exercise would extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra, relying on geospatial data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which will be verified with input from state Surveyor-Generals.
“Our task is to ensure fair allocation of the 13 per cent derivation fund by plotting accurate coordinates of oil and gas fields and wells,” Shehu stressed.
He noted that the exercise was proactive, aimed at easing long-standing tensions and ensuring transparency in revenue allocation.
“This initiative will guarantee that every producing state gets its rightful share while safeguarding the integrity of the Federation Account. It will also foster a more stable environment for exploration and development in the Niger Delta,” he added.
The verification follows petitions by governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers, and will be jointly executed by RMAFC, NUPRC, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF), and the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
