ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has urged President Bola Tinubu to halt further crude oil drilling in the disputed oil wells between Edo and Delta states until the long-standing boundary disagreement is fully resolved.
Idahosa made the appeal on Friday in Benin during a meeting with officials of the National Boundary Commission, led by its Director-General, Adamu Adaji.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to freeze the accounts of Delta State–based oil firms operating within the contested locations.
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In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor said the actions were necessary to promote fairness and justice in the ongoing dispute.
He said, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the President to stop, or instruct the regulatory agencies to stop, all benefits accruing to Delta State pending when this matter is resolved.
“It is clear that Delta State is playing games with us and with the National Boundary Commission. It is also clear that they do not want this matter resolved, knowing fully well that those assets belong to Edo State.”
Idahosa called on the NBC to thoroughly scrutinise all documents relating to the disputed oil wells to determine their rightful ownership.
Despite what he described as provocation from Delta State, he noted that the Orogho and Urhonigbe communities where the oil rigs are situated had remained compliant and peaceful.
The NBC Director-General, while responding, restated the commission’s commitment to addressing the matter without delay.
He said the visit became necessary to ensure progress after previous setbacks.
“We cannot allow a party to delay the process. There must be an end to it. We have come to a point where we will interface with the two sides, meet some individuals if need be, for clarity, and ensure this issue is resolved once and for all.
“This will be done in accordance with available delineation documents and other standard methods to identify and make recommendations to the Federal Government for adoption,” Adaji said.
The boundary disagreement between Edo and Delta states centres on several oil rigs, following a recent controversy in which Seplat Energy allegedly transferred six oil wells in the Orogho community of Edo State to Delta.
The Edo State Government said it had initiated steps to address the issue, including engaging Delta authorities, consulting relevant agencies, and assuring the Orogho community of its commitment to reclaiming ownership of the disputed assets.
The community expressed satisfaction with the state government’s swift response, noting that royalties were previously paid to Edo State before Seplat assumed operations.