Federal Government begins a major verification exercise to settle oil and gas field ownership disputes in the Niger Delta.
RMAFC says the move will ensure fair revenue sharing and reduce conflicts among oil-producing states.
The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive verification exercise to resolve ownership disputes over crude oil and gas fields in the Niger Delta, aiming to ensure fair revenue sharing among oil-producing states.
Speaking in Asaba, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization 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), which empowers the commission to monitor accruals into and disbursements from the federation account.
According to him, the verification will cover disputed oil fields, newly drilled wells, and boundary claims raised by states.
The commission will focus on assets including: Aneize oil field (OML 143), Eyine field, and Ameshi field
Shehu explained that the review would examine the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells from 2017 to date.
The exercise will extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Anambra, and Imo states, following petitions from governors seeking clarity on ownership rights and derivation entitlements.
The Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC), inaugurated to carry out the assignment, includes representatives from the RMAFC, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) and National Boundary Commission (NBC)
Geospatial data from NUPRC will be validated and plotted, with state surveyor-generals participating to ensure transparency.
Shehu stressed that the ultimate goal is to guarantee an equitable distribution of the 13% derivation fund to the rightful states.
“This initiative is essential to ensure every oil and gas-producing state receives its fair share of resources, reducing disputes and safeguarding the integrity of the federation account,” he said.
The RMAFC boss described the move as a strategic and proactive measure to prevent conflicts among states, promote stability, and create a more conducive environment for exploration and development.
