RMAFC Begins Verification of Oil and Gas Fields to Resolve Disputes
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has started the verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields and wells in the Niger Delta region.
The exercise, which began on Monday, September 22, in Asaba, is being led by a technical team from the RMAFC, with support from the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the National Boundary Commission.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Muhammed Bello Shehu, said an Inter-Agency Technical Committee had been inaugurated to ensure the accurate identification of the locations of oil and gas fields and wells in disputed areas.
He said, “We announce the inauguration of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee and 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.”
Shehu explained that the initiative follows petitions from the governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers states, who sought to determine the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific oil and gas assets. He said the exercise is intended to ensure fairness in revenue allocation based on accurate data and to address long-standing disputes among states.
“The goal of the exercise is 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,” he said.
The RMAFC Chairman disclosed that the team would verify the Aneize oil field within OML 143, as well as the Eyine and Ameshi fields. The team is also tasked with examining identified locations and verifying the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells dating from 2017 to the present.
Shehu stated that the verification exercise is backed by the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the RMAFC to monitor accruals and disbursements from the federation account. He said, “We are tasked with the plotting of coordinates of newly drilled identified crude oil, gas fields, and wells across recognised oil-rich regions.”
Shehu further revealed that the verification exercise would extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra states in response to their complaints. He added that the work would rely on geospatial data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which will be validated and plotted, with Surveyor-Generals of the affected states observing the process.
“This decision reflects our 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 said.
He also noted that the exercise is a step towards resolving long-standing disputes and promoting a more stable environment for exploration and development in the Niger Delta. “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 added.
