Federal Government Launches Verification of Niger Delta Oil Field Boundaries
The Federal Government has initiated a comprehensive verification process for disputed and newly drilled oil and gas fields in the Niger Delta region through the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The exercise aims to address longstanding boundary disputes and ensure fair revenue allocation among oil-producing states.
Dr Mohammed Shehu, Chairman of RMAFC, led the verification committee to the Aneize oil field in Delta State’s Okpai area, explaining that the process was necessary following various petitions from affected states. The RMAFC has collaborated with sister agencies to establish an Inter-Agency Technical Committee tasked with identifying the precise locations of crude oil and gas fields and wells within disputed areas.
The committee includes representatives from RMAFC, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and the Office of the National Boundary Commission. The verification process addresses formal concerns raised by the Executive Governors of Anambra, Imo, and Delta states regarding the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.
Key focus areas include the Aneize oil field within OML 143, as well as the Eyine and Ameshi fields. The committee will extend its activities to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Edo states, where it will assess and respond to various complaints and petitions submitted by these states.
The verification exercise relies on geospatial data provided by NUPRC, which will be validated and plotted while Surveyor-Generals of affected states observe the process. The ultimate goal is to ensure fair and transparent allocation of oil revenue based on accurate data while addressing disputes over the location and ownership of vital energy assets.
Source: punchng.com
