News
RMAFC Reconstitutes Committee to Verify Disputed, Newly Drilled Oil Wells
Joel Ajayi
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 exercise is 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 held at the Commission’s new Boardroom on Wednesday, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, said the exercise was in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.
In a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, Maryam Umar Yusuf, mnipr, Shehu said the verification would contribute to ensuring the equitable distribution of the 13 per cent Derivation Fund among oil and gas-producing states.
The Chairman explained that the Commission had discarded the previous draft report on the oil and gas wells verification exercise following several claims, counterclaims and complaints from various states.
He said the concerns raised centred mainly on the need to re-verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled wells and accurately plot the verified coordinates on approved maps.
According to him, the reconstituted committee must ensure that every verified coordinate, map used and boundary evaluated accurately reflects the situation on the ground.
He directed members to take relevant court decisions into consideration, rely strictly on approved maps and undertake physical verification of affected oil and gas wells where necessary.
To ensure efficiency and accountability, Shehu disclosed that a two-tier governance structure had been established for the exercise.
He said the first tier would comprise technical officers and subject-matter experts from RMAFC, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The technical team, he explained, would be responsible for ground-level verification, field 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, ensure inter-agency coordination and oversee final approvals before the findings are presented for formal ratification.
Shehu 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 environments.
He added that Surveyors-General from affected states and representatives of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) would participate as observers to enhance transparency and credibility.
The RMAFC Chairman urged members of the committee to approach the assignment with integrity, objectivity and patriotism, stressing that the exercise was designed to achieve clarity, fairness and stability in the allocation of derivation revenue and provide a lasting resolution to disputes over oil and gas wells among beneficiary states.
He formally inaugurated the reconstituted IATC and expressed confidence that its findings would strengthen the credibility of revenue monitoring and allocation in Nigeria.
The Secretary of the Commission, Comrade Tosin Adeyanju, commended members of the committee for accepting the responsibility and urged them to place the national interest above all other considerations.
Adeyanju called for objectivity, fairness and diligence, noting that the committee’s work would attract considerable scrutiny because of lessons learned from previous verification exercises.
He expressed optimism that the committee would deliver a credible outcome that would serve the interests of the nation and affected states and stand as a lasting contribution to national development.
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.
Some of the commissioners are members of the Commission’s crude oil monitoring committee, while others serve on the gas monitoring committee.
Representatives of relevant government agencies also attended the inauguration.
News
Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran
Joel Ajayi
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.
In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.
According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.
“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.
The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.
The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.
Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.
The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.
“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
