The government of Edo State has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt any further crude oil drilling activities in the disputed oil wells located between Edo and Delta states until the ownership matter is officially resolved.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, made this crucial appeal during a meeting held over the weekend with members of the National Boundary Commission, whose delegation was led by its Director General, Adamu Adaji.

Idahosa additionally requested that the accounts of the oil firms operating in the area, which are currently registered in Delta State, be frozen. This action, he argued, would prevent them from continuing to pay royalties to the neighbouring state.

A statement released by Mr. Friday Aghedo, the Chief Press Secretary to Idahosa, indicated that these proposed measures are essential to ensure fairness and justice are upheld concerning the disputed oil rigs.

The Deputy Governor used the opportunity to address the President directly, saying, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the President to stop or instruct the regulatory agencies to also stop all the benefits accruing to Delta State pending when this matter is resolved.”

Idahosa expressed his frustration with Delta State and the NBC process, stating, “It is clear that Delta State is playing games with us and also the National Boundary Commission.” He firmly asserted, “It is clear that they don’t want this matter to be resolved, knowing fully well that those assets belong to Edo State.”

He also urged the NBC to meticulously scrutinize all the documentation pertaining to the disputed oil wells already submitted to them to ascertain the true ownership of the resources.

Despite the perceived provocations from the neighbouring state, Idahosa stressed that the Orogho and Urhonigbe Communities where these rigs are situated have maintained a posture of peace and adherence to the law, pointing out, “A lot of communities are affected – the Orogho and Urhonigbe Communities.”

Expressing impatience with the delay, the Deputy Governor reminded the commission, “We told the NBC Director General that we will no longer wait, as the documents required have since been provided to them as far back as July. We also understand that Delta state is yet to submit the same to the commission.” He lamented the impact of the delay on his people, noting, “Our people are suffering from things they are supposed to be benefitting from.”
Idahosa criticized the NBC’s inaction, declaring, “God has given them all these opportunities for them to use to develop their community and their state, instead, the NBC is allowing these opportunities to go to Delta State.” He concluded his plea with an urgent call for resolution, emphasizing, “This issue has to be resolved and within a specific timeline. That is my plea.”
The Deputy Governor highlighted the urgent need to resolve the issue to alleviate mounting tension between the two states, warning that a failure to do so could lead to potential hostilities.

He elaborated on the potential for local crisis, stating, “There is so much tension and pressure in the affected communities, and, if the state government can not give them something substantive, to work with, it might lead to internal or communal crises.” Idahosa made clear his priority, saying, “We don’t want that, that is why we want this issue resolved as soon as possible.”

NBC Director General Adamu Adaji reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to urgently resolving the boundary dispute, noting that this necessity was the core reason for their visit.

Adaji assured the Edo State government of the commission’s resolve, stating, “We cannot allow a party to delay the process. There must be an end to it.” He outlined the next steps for the resolution, confirming, “We have come to an extent, perhaps, where we will personally interface with the two sides, on individual bases, where we need clarity and identification to make sure this issue is resolved once and for all.”

He concluded that the resolution would be executed “in accordance with available delineation documents and other ground rule methods to identify and make recommendations to the federal government for adoption.”