RMAFC reopens disputed oil wells verification after states’ complaints - Punch Newspapers

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has reopened verification of disputed oil and gas wells after states complained about an earlier exercise used to determine the sharing of the 13 per cent derivation revenue. The commission said it had discarded the previous draft verification report after receiving claims, counterclaims and complaints from states, particularly over the coordinates and locations of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells. RMAFC disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar-Yusuf, following the inauguration of a reconstituted Inter-Agency Technical Committee to verify disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells from 2017 to date. Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Shehu, said the previous draft report on the oil and gas wells verification was rejected due to complaints. He explained that the complaints centred largely on demands for the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled wells to be verified again and accurately plotted on approved maps. “The Chairman explained that the Commission discarded the previous draft report on the oil and gas wells verification exercise following several claims, counterclaims and complaints from various States. “He noted that the concerns centred largely on the need to re-verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled wells and accurately plot the verified coordinates on approved maps,” the statement read. The fresh exercise could have implications for the distribution of the 13 per cent derivation fund among oil and gas-producing states, as the location of producing assets determines which states are entitled to derivation revenue from them. Shehu said the verification was in line with RMAFC’s constitutional responsibility to monitor revenue accruing to and disbursed from the Federation Account, adding that the exercise was intended to ensure equitable distribution of derivation revenue. According to him, the reconstituted committee must ensure that the coordinates, maps and boundaries used in determining the locations of the affected wells reflect the actual situation on the ground. He directed the committee to take relevant court decisions into account, rely strictly on approved maps and conduct physical field verification of disputed oil and gas wells where necessary. RMAFC said it had adopted a two-tier structure for the exercise to strengthen technical scrutiny and accountability. Corruption beyond bribery, fund diversion — RMAFC chair Corruption goes beyond bribery, fund diversion, says RMAFC chairman Nigeria hits 1.68mbpd, sustains OPEC quota for four months The first tier comprises technical officers and subject-matter experts drawn from RMAFC, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the National Boundary Commission and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. The technical team will conduct ground-level verification, field inspections and technical analysis, as well as prepare the initial report from the exercise. The second tier, an Executive Committee led by the RMAFC leadership, will provide strategic direction, coordinate the participating agencies and oversee final approvals before the findings are presented for formal ratification. Shehu also disclosed that the commission would engage relevant security agencies to provide administrative clearances, tactical assistance and security coverage for officials conducting field operations, particularly in difficult coastal and other complex environments. To improve transparency, Surveyors-General from the affected states and representatives of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) will participate in the exercise as observers. The RMAFC chairman urged members of the committee to carry out the assignment with integrity and objectivity, saying the goal was to achieve “clarity, fairness, stability and lasting resolution of disputes over oil and gas wells among beneficiary States.” He expressed confidence that the fresh verification would strengthen the credibility of the country’s revenue monitoring and allocation process. Also speaking, the Secretary of RMAFC, Tosin Adeyanju, urged members of the committee to prioritise national interest and ensure fairness in carrying out the assignment. Adeyanju noted that the committee’s work would attract greater scrutiny because of issues arising from previous verification exercises. He called on members to demonstrate objectivity, fairness and diligence, expressing optimism that the committee would produce a credible outcome capable of resolving outstanding concerns among the affected states. The inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Crude Oil Monitoring Committee and RMAFC Federal Commissioner representing Kano State, Adamu Abdu Fanda, alongside commissioners representing Osun, Edo, Yobe, Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa and Ogun states. Representatives of other relevant government agencies were also present at the inauguration. Sami Tunji Sami Tunji is a Senior Business Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with about five years of experience in data-driven reporting. He covers finance, ICT, and broader macroeconomic issues, combining analytical insight with clear storytelling. Sami’s work reflects strong editorial judgment, professional development, and a commitment to accurate and informative business journalism.

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