Deputy Governor of Edo State Dennis Idahosa has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop further drilling of crude oil in disputed oil wells between Edo and Delta states until resolution of the matter.
Idahosa, who made the call in Benin when he received members of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) led by it Director General, Adamu Adaji yesterday, also called for the freezing of the accounts of Delta State-based oil firms.
In a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor noted that this step would ensure fairness and justice in the disputed oil rigs.
“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.
“It is clear that Delta State is playing games with us and also the National Boundary Commission. It is clear that they don’t want this matter to be resolved, knowing fully well that those assets belong to Edo State,” he stated.
Idahosa also urged the NBC to also critically examine all the documents relating to the disputed oil wells that are before them to ensure true ownership of the oil wells.
He said in spite of the seeming provocation from its neighboring state, the communities where these rigs are located had remained peaceful and law abiding.
He added, “A lot of communities are affected – the Orogho and Urhonigbe Communities.
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 same to the commission.
“Our people are suffering from things they are supposed to be benefitting from. 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. This issue has to be resolved and within a specific timeline. That is my plea,” Idahosa declared.
He said there was need to urgently resolve the issue in an effort to reduce the tension between the two neighbouring states.
While noting that the issue could escalate to potential hostilities between the two states if not urgently resolved, he warned of tension and pressure in the affected communities, and if the state government cannot give them something substantive to work with, it might lead to internal or communal crises.
“We don’t want that, that is why we want this issue resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NBC boss, Adamu Adaji, has reaffirmed the commission’s position to urgently resolve the matter.
He noted that it was the need to resolve the issue that necessitated the commission’s visit.
He stated, “We cannot allow a party to delay the process. There must be an end to it.
“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.
“This will be done in accordance with available delineation documents and other ground rule methods to identify and make recommendations to the federal government for adoption.”
