By Nduka Chiejina,The Nation

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The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced the verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields, and wells in the Niger Delta region.

The exercise commenced in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday, the Commission said in a statement, adding that it was being conducted by a technical team comprising officials 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.

The statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, said RMAFC’s Chairman, Dr. Muhammed Bello Shehu, told journalists in Asaba that the commission inaugurated the Inter-Agency Technical Committee to ensure an accurate identification of the locations of crude oil wells and gas fields in disputed areas, as well as newly drilled sites.

He explained that the initiative followed petitions from the governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers states, who demanded to know the rightful owners and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.

According to Shehu, the exercise is designed to ensure fairness in revenue allocation based on accurate data and to address long-standing disputes among states over oil and gas asset ownership.

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“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 Chairman disclosed that the team would verify the Aneize oil field within OML 143, as well as the Eyine and Ameshi fields. The team would also examine identified locations and verify the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells spanning from 2017 to date.

He stated that the verification exercise was backed by constitutional provisions. “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 state receives its rightful share of the resources to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the federation account,” he said.

Shehu revealed that the exercise would extend to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, and Anambra states, in response to their complaints. He said the work would rely on geospatial data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which would 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 noted that the exercise was 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.