The Federal Government has commenced the verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields in the Niger Delta region to ensure that all oil-producing states receive their rightful share of resources.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, announced the exercise on Monday while addressing journalists in Asaba, Delta State. He explained that the initiative aligns with the provisions of the law, citing Paragraph 32(a), Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the commission to monitor accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the federation account.
According to Shehu, the verification followed multiple petitions from the governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers seeking clarity on the ownership and territorial boundaries of specific oil and gas assets. To execute the assignment, an Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) has been inaugurated, comprising representatives from the RMAFC, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF), and the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
“We reaffirm our commitment to accurately identify the locations of crude oil and gas fields and wells within the disputed areas and the newly drilled sites,” Shehu said. “This initiative is driven by concerns expressed by governors over the rightful ownership of key assets, including the Aneize oil field within OML 143 and the Eyine and Ameshi fields. In Delta, for instance, we will examine identified locations and verify the coordinates of oil and gas wells drilled between 2017 and now.”
He added that the exercise would also extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra states in response to their complaints. The verification process will rely on geospatial data supplied by the NUPRC, which will be validated and plotted, with Surveyor-Generals of the affected states present to observe and ensure accuracy.
Shehu stressed that the ultimate goal is to guarantee a fair and transparent allocation of oil revenue based on precise data, thereby resolving long-standing disputes over ownership and boundaries. “By plotting the exact coordinates of identified crude oil and gas fields, we will ensure that the 13 per cent derivation fund is equitably disbursed to the rightful boundary states,” he said.
Describing the exercise as a strategic and proactive measure, Shehu noted that the initiative would help reduce tensions, protect the integrity of the federation account, and create a more stable environment for continued oil and gas exploration and development in the Niger Delta.