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RMAFC Reconstitutes Committee to Verify Disputed, Newly Drilled Oil Wells

Published

1 month ago

September 17, 2026

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.

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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

12 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

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