By Tony Obiechina Abuja
In a strategic and proactive measure to ensure equitable allocation of resources, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC) has commenced the verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil, gas fields and wells in the Niger Delta region.
The exercise, which began on Monday 22nd September in Asaba Delta State, is being carried out by a technical team with officers drawn from the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Boundary Commission under the leadership of RMAFC.
While addressing journalists, the Chairman RMAFC Dr. Muhammed Bello Shehu said, ” We announce the inauguration of the Inter Agency Technical Committee 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.”
He disclosed that the exercise was informed by the petitions from the governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo and River seeking to establish the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.
He stated that the goal of the exercise was to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of oil revenue grounded in accurate data while addressing long-standing disputes over the location and rightful ownership of these vital energy assets.
According to him, the team would verify the Aneize oil field within OML 143; the Eyine and Ameshi fields, examine the identified locations and verify the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells within the area spanning from 2017 to date.
Dr. Bello noted that the exercise was in line with the provisions of paragraphs 32(a) Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“The 1999 Constitution, as amended, empowers the RMAFC amongst other functions to monitor accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the federation account.We are tasked with the plotting of coordinates of newly drilled identified crude oil, gas fields and wells across recognised oil-rich regions.This initiative is essential to ensure that every oil and gas producing states receives its rightful share of the resources to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the federation account.” He said.
Dr. M. B. Shehu disclosed that the verification exercise would be extended to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra states in response to their complaints.
He said that the exercise would rely on geospatial data provided by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which would be validated and plotted while the Surveyor-Generals of the affected states would observe the entire process.
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He further said, “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.”
Shehu noted that the exercise was aimed at resolving long-standing disputes among the affected states.
He emphasized that the initiative was essential to ensure that every oil and gas producing state received its rightful share of the resources to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the federation account.
“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”, he noted.
