Declare Kogi, Anambra, Enugu as oil producing states, Reps tell FG

The House of Representatives on Thursday, charged the federal government to declare Anambra, Kogi and Enugu states as oil producing states since oil exploration and mining activities have begun in the Anambra basin since 2012.

This resolution was passed after a protracted drama by a lawmaker who tried to frustrate the move to classify the three states as oil producing.

resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Rep. Emmanuel Egwu (PDP/Kogi) and two other House members, Rep. Tony Nwoye (APC/Anambra) and Rep. Patrick Asadu (PDD/Enugu). Moving the motion, Rep. Egwu commended the concerted efforts by the Federal Government in prospecting for oil deposits in various parts of the country in the hope of increasing domestic production.

He said that the government is fully aware of already explored and determined huge oil and gas deposits in commercial quantities in Anambra Basin, which cuts across Ibaji Area, Idah-1 , Alade-l, Atu-l , Inni-1 in Kogi State; Eziagulu Otu, Enugwu Otu, Nzam, Ezi-Anam, Anaku, Omor in Anambra State and Igga, Ojo, Uzo Uwani Areas in Enugu State.

“Also aware that the failure to optimally explore this already established huge deposits in the Anambra Basin which would generate social and economic activities in the Basin has caused disaffection and crisis across those border states.

“The crisis has occasionally led to bloodshed amongst citizens in the border corridors, where this oil is in high commercial quantity; “Further aware that between 1952 and 1986, three companies, namely Shell BP (now Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and Agip Energy had dug 25 exploration wells in this Basin but abandoned them due to the government’s policy then that these deposits are to be for strategic reserve;

“Equally aware that OPL 901 and OPL 902 (previously OPL 444) were all abandoned in the region to waste despite NNPC
/ NPDC on their own having carried out seismic activities in the Basin in parts of Kogi, Enugu and Anambra States with the same results,” he added.

Rep. Egwu expressed concerns that there have been lingering boundary demarcation cases before the National Boundary Commission between Anambra, Enugu and Kogi States as ordinarily peace loving neighbours have had to resort to violent actions against each other owing to the inaction of the government.

“Cognizant that Oriental Resources Plc has, since 2012, been prospecting on OPL 915 and OPL 916, derivable from the three adjoining States of Kogi, Enugu and Anambra state. “These have not been commercially mined as it is still awaiting Oil Mining License (OML) from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) years after former President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off the operations of Oriental Petroleum Resources,” he said.

According to him, the declaration of Kogi, Anambra and Enugu States as oil producing states will not in any way jeopardize the ongoing field tracing and provisional boundary demarcation between the states by the National Boundary Commission but will rather aid in determining the percentage of derivation accruable to the three states.

However, Rep. Herman Hembe (PDP/Benue) said the boundary adjustment should be the focus since it is possible that a state already captured as an oil producing state could lose the title if boundary adjustment is finalised