FG Begins Verification of Oilfields in Niger Delta to Resolve Ownership Disputes

The Federal Government, through the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has launched a comprehensive verification exercise targeting disputed and newly drilled oil and gas fields in the Niger Delta. Led by RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Shehu, the initiative began with an inspection of the Aneize oil field in Okpai, Delta State, following petitions from several state governments over boundary and ownership claims.

The verification is being conducted by an Inter-Agency Technical Committee comprising representatives from RMAFC, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and the National Boundary Commission. The committee’s mandate includes identifying the exact locations and coordinates of oil and gas wells, particularly those drilled between 2017 and the present.

Dr. Shehu stated that the exercise is crucial for ensuring accurate revenue allocation from the Federation Account and for resolving long-standing territorial disputes among oil-producing states such as Anambra, Imo, and Delta. He emphasized that the process will rely on validated geospatial data and will be observed by surveyor-generals from the affected states to ensure transparency.

The committee is expected to extend its activities to other oil-rich states including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Edo. The goal is to ensure that each state receives its rightful share of the 13% derivation fund, thereby promoting fairness and reducing tensions over resource control.

This strategic initiative marks a proactive step by the Federal Government to safeguard the integrity of oil revenue distribution and foster cooperation among stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector.