RMAFC inaugurates committee to verify disputed oil, gas wells

Mariam Abeeb

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has inaugurated a reconstituted Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells from 2017 to date.

The commission said the exercise was aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency, ensuring equitable revenue allocation and promoting institutional integrity in the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas revenues.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, said the exercise was part of the commission’s constitutional mandate to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.

Shehu said the verification would also help ensure the equitable distribution of the 13 per cent derivation fund among oil and gas-producing states.

According to him, the commission discarded its previous draft report on the verification of oil and gas wells following claims, counterclaims and complaints from various states. He said the concerns focused largely on the need to re-verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled wells and accurately plot the verified coordinates on approved maps.

He directed the reconstituted committee to ensure that every verified coordinate, map used and boundary assessed reflected the actual situation on the ground. He also urged members to take relevant court decisions into account, rely strictly on approved maps and conduct physical verification of affected wells where necessary.

Shehu disclosed that a two-tier governance structure had been established to ensure efficiency and accountability in the exercise.

The first tier comprises technical officers and subject-matter experts from RMAFC, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the National Boundary Commission and the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission. The body will undertake field verification, inspections, technical analysis and preparation of the initial report.

The second tier, he said, would be an Executive Committee led by the leadership of RMAFC, which would provide strategic direction, coordinate participating agencies and oversee final approvals before the findings are presented for formal ratification.

The RMAFC chairman further assured the committee of the commission’s institutional support, including engagement with relevant security authorities to facilitate administrative clearances, tactical assistance and security coverage during field operations, particularly in complex and coastal areas.

He added that Surveyors-General from affected states and representatives of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) would participate as observers to promote transparency in the process.

Shehu urged members of the committee to approach the assignment with integrity, objectivity and patriotism, stressing that the exercise was intended to provide clarity and fairness while contributing to a lasting resolution of disputes over oil and gas wells among beneficiary states.

The Secretary of the Commission, Comrade Tosin Adeyanju, expressed appreciation to members of the committee and urged them to put the national interest first in carrying out the assignment.

Adeyanju called for objectivity, fairness and diligence, noting that the committee’s work would attract greater scrutiny because of lessons from previous verification exercises. He expressed optimism that the committee would produce a credible outcome that would serve the interests of the nation and the affected states.

The inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Crude Oil Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Kano State, Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, as well as Federal Commissioners representing Osun, Edo, Yobe, Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa and Ogun states.