The real truth shows that the oil wells belong to kogi state i was there even five more oil well had been discovered in kogi between ibaji and idah local goverment but on the war militia from both states had commited war crimes alot of people had died the way out is for the goverment to make kogi , enugu, oil producing states along side anambra if not the arms on both sides can cause a conflict more than boko haram right now kogi militia are incharge of the oil well please mr president end this war now before it is too late

For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

abu12: For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't (WANT) to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

TRY GETTING YOURSELF A SOUND EDUCATION BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON A PUBLIC FORUM LIKE THIS. THIS FORUM IS NOT MEANT FOR MOR0NS LIKE YOU WHO CANNOT MAKE A CORRECT SENTENCE IN ENGLISH. NEXT TIME USE WANT NOT WON'T.

The national boundary commission as at January 2014 have traced about 80 percent of the boundary together with the representatives of Anambra and Kogi State which have made it clear to all that the oil wells are in Anambra State.

eejo: The real truth shows that the oil wells belong to kogi state i was there even five more oil well had been discovered in kogi between ibaji and idah local goverment but on the war militia from both states had commited war crimes alot of people had died the way out is for the goverment to make kogi , enugu, oil producing states along side anambra if not the arms on both sides can cause a conflict more than boko haram right now kogi militia are incharge of the oil well please mr president end this war now before it is too late

if oil dey hungry you go drink palm oil, you want to be oil state by force, you just come online and assume the oil well belongs to kogi, oya go take am nah mr oil well, any way the best way to treat this thread
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































take care

Comprehensive History Of The Disputed Anambra Oil Basin

EXCERPTS OF THE PRESS BRIEFING BY HRH EZE C.N. IDIGO IV, (OGALAGIDI, EZE AGULERI), WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2012,@ ISABANKA (THE ROYAL PALACE), AMAEZE, AGULERI.

The historical Commissioning of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc / Anambra River Oil Wells at Aguleri-Otu, Aguleri, on August 30, 2012 by the President and the proclamation of Anambra State as an Oil-Producing State in Nigeria, has unexpectedly awakened the ‘Oil Producing appetite’ of Anambra neighboring States of Kogi and Enugu. Both states are now separately jostling and laying claims to the ownership of these Oil Wells which are indisputably located in Aguleri land. As if the spurious claims by the governments of Kogi and Enugu States were not enough, a few days ago, some youths of Kogi State embarked on a protest march, just as some youths of Enugu State had earlier threatened to stop the Orient Petroleum project, all in their effort to buttress their claims.

Ordinarily, Aguleri Community would have allowed the State Governments to sort out themselves believing, that the extant boundaries between the three States, namely: Anambra and Kogi States on one part; and Anambra and Enugu States on the other hand, are properly delineated. As a people known for always standing on the path of truth, honour and justice, Aguleri would always fight back whenever our liberty is threatened or our land is encroached upon. More importantly, we acknowledge the need to straighten the records and allay further misinformation on the matter, for the Nigerian public, and the world at large. We therefore present the historical as well as legal facts on this matter with the view to settling this contest on the rightful ownership of the Anambra River Oil Wells (OPL 915). Having said as much, the fact remains that the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc’s Anambra River Oil Wells – Anambra River 1, 2 and 3 in OPL 915 are located in Aguleri land precisely, Aguleri-Otu, the north-eastermost riverine settlement of Aguleri.

It is a historical fact that Aguleri occupies the longest stretch of settlement along Anambra River – starting from Otuocha Aguleri to Inalo River at the border of Kogi State. Aguleri People live on both sides of Anambra River from Otuocha Aguleri up to Igbakwu Town in Ayamelum LGA on the east bank of Anambra River. Igbakwu Town itself is opposite Enugu-Otu Aguleri on the west bank of Anambra River. From Igbakwu Town northwards is Ifite-Ogwari, followed by Umueje, all in Ayamelum LGA and thereafter Igga and Ojor towns , then to Ogurugu, all in Enugu State. Clearly from Igbakwu, Anambra River has been the natural boundary between Aguleri and all the other towns on the east bank of Anambra River up to Ogurugu in Enugu State. It is also a historical fact that none of the communities on the east bank of Anambra River from Igbakwu to Ogurugu has farm lands on the west bank of Anambra River, and this is as expected, as Aguleri occupies the entire west bank of Anambra River up to Inalo River at the border of Kogi State. Aguleri people have been living in the locations of the Oil Wells known as Agu-Igbili, Agu-Ovo/Okpalia, Ngene-Ejo, Okpa-Nkwocha and Nnobi Aguleri right from time immemorial and have engaged in farming and fishing in these locations from historical times to date.

Historically, Odeke, the Headquarters of Ibaji Clan in Igala land of Kogi State trace their origin to Aguleri and because of this ancestral connection, they lived very close to Aguleri and shared common boundaries with Aguleri. At cultural fiestas, where successful men usually have the opportunity to display their bravado or prowess for instance, it was commonplace to hear popular slogans and shouts of Odeke Agulu..ue! Odeke Agulu kwenu!! Settlements such as Uchuchu Anocha, Uchuchu Anapiti, Echonwa, Obale, etc are all farm settlements of Odeke people. Before the advent of Colonial Administration, we lived together as a people of common stock. However, with the regionalisation of Nigeria by the Colonial Government, Odeke, together with its farm settlements were placed in Northern Nigeria as part of Idah Division.

GOVERNMENT ADIMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
Given the topography of the entire West Bank of Anambra River basin, which presently consists of Anambra West LGA and Aguleri-Otu in Anambra East LGA, the lands were acquired by the Government to establish the Anambra Forest Reserve in 1931. Consequent upon this Government action, an Agreement dated 28th April 1931, made in that behalf, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 (ii) of Cap. 95 of the Forestry Ordinance 1931. The communities that entered into the Agreement with the Government were eight ( – namely: Nzam, Inoma, Nnani, Obodolu, Mmiata, Umuoba, Enugu-Otu and Oroma-Otu (now Eziagulu-Otu) Aguleri – all in the present day Anambra State. Another Agreement was made in that behalf on 12th Day of February 1932, also by the same eight ( communities aforesaid. The Forestry Ordinance was published in Nigeria Gazette N0. 20 Vol. 20; notice N0.316, dated 30th March 1933. An ADO of the then Onitsha Division was appointed the Reserve Settlement Officer, to supervise the Forest Reserve, on behalf of the Government of Eastern Nigeria.
It is also important to note that the Oil Wells under discussion i.e. Anambra River 1,2&3 inside OPL 915 is located within the Anambra Forest Reserve, which is in Aguleri.

BOUNDARIES
The boundary of Anambra Forest Reserve is very clear and unambiguous. Whereas Enugu State communities of Igga, Ojor and Ogurugu are on the Eastern Bank of Anambra River, the Anambra Forest Reserve is on the Western Bank of the river (Anambra River) up to opposite Ogurugu community. So, Anambra River has always been and is still the natural boundary between Enugu State communities and Anambra Forest Reserve.
Earlier in 1927, the boundary between Aguleri and Kogi State was settled through an Arbitration jointly chaired by Captain Joel and Mr Macabe, both Assistant Divisional Officers representing the then Onitsha Division and the then Idah Division respectively. HRH Eze R. A. Idigo II represented Aguleri, while Chief Ocholo of Olu Ibaji represented the Ibaji Clan. At the end of the sittings, the Arbitrators adopted the boundary lines as represented in the Map of Nigeria in 1927 as the boundary between Aguleri and Ibaji land in the present Kogi State. It is instructive to note that far back in 1927, the official Map of Nigeria recognized the Anambra Forest Reserve as part of Eastern Nigeria. And so, as the Chairman of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said, the “misconception that the Oil Well was not entirely in Anambra State has been resolved through the Map of Nigeria”
The boundaries are also contained in Anambra Forestry Reserve (Amendment) Order, 1950, and Legal Notice N0. 126 of 1954; the Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (Definition of Boundaries), 1954 Appendix ’B’ and ‘E’.
It is also pertinent to mention here that the Tripartite Point of intersection at the mouth of Inalo River which is the boundary between Kogi and Anambra State is quite far away and clearly long after the Anambra Oil Wells location.

ACTS OF OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION
All the settlements and people in possession before the establishment of Anambra Forest Reserve were named after the Aguleri people who were in possession, which explains why till date what you have are such enclaves as Oguejiofor’s Enclave, Chizua’s Enclave, Menkiti’s Enclave, etc; reflecting the founders of these settlements. Also, the fishing ponds scattered all over the entire land are owned by Aguleri people and they fish in them till date.
Other acts of ownership include the establishment of Migrant School at Okpeze which is well beyond the location of the Oil Wells by the Anambra State Government, to serve the primary education needs of the people. For long, a number of church groups have been established in the area. They include St. Philip’s Anglican Church of Anambra/Niger West Diocese, the Catholic Church of Onitsha Archdiocese Outstation Parish, just as a number of Pentecostal Churches are also located in the area. For the pagan community, their ‘Aro’ deity is prominently located there. Above all, the Forest Quarters built for the Forest Reserve Staff by the Eastern Nigeria Government, now maintained by the Anambra State Government is at the heart of the Settlement.
For all Federal Elections in Nigeria, INEC Polling Booth located at Ngene Ejo which is part of the Anambra Forerst Reserve, administered by Anambra Office of the Commission, supervised the conduct of such elections for Aguleri people living in the area.
It is also pertinent to mention briefly that Royalties accruing from the products of the Anambra Forest Reserve have continued to be paid as agreed by the people of Aguleri and the then Governor of Nigeria, Sir Thompson, in 1932. Till date, Aguleri Community have been collecting the said Royalties from the Forestry Department.

COURT RULING
In 1967, the Igga Community of Enugu State brought an action against SAFRAP Nigeria Limited – an Oil Company & 2 others; and Chief A.E.Idigo & 3 Others (For and on behalf of the people of Aguleri), claiming, among other things, a declaration of title to the land and an injunction restraining the aforesaid company and the people of Aguleri from committing further acts of trespass and waste of economic trees and crops on the land in question. The Igga Community, being Plaintiffs in the suit filed a Motion of Discontinuance, after they had finished their evidence and Aguleri Community opened their defence. In the Court’s Ruling, their application was refused. The case dragged on from 1967 to 1973 and all subsequent appeals made by the same community were similarly refused. This means, as per the Court Order, that the Igga Community cannot bring any action on this matter again in any Court of competent jurisdiction – per res judicata. The implication of that Ruling is that the Igga community has been estopped and cannot go to Court over the radical title or ownership to Anambra Forest Reserve. See the case of Chief Fabian Ukuta v. SAFRAP (Nigeria) Limited & 2 Ors and Chief A.E.Idigo & 3 Ors – Suit No. E/50/67.
It is also instructive to note that some Odeke indigenes of Kogi State testified as witnesses in this suit in favour of Igga Community, supporting the claim that the disputed land belonged to Igga Community. Is not a contradiction that today, same Kogi people are claiming ownership of the said land? Also, Kogi people never came against SAFRAP Nigeria Ltd or Elf when the two companies were prospecting for Oil in the area.

CONCLUSION
The Igga Community of Enugu State knows that they have no title to the Anambra Forest Reserve, and so have no claim to make on the land. They came in 1967 and demanded compensation from SAFRAP (Nigeria) Limited, which ended in Court, and they lost out. Similarly, in 1984, when Elf Nigeria Limited came for the Oil wells, they quickly demanded compensation, but could not succeed. Now that Orient Petroleum Resources has taken a bold step to commence operations, Igga Community has come again, but, as in the past, they are bound to fail, as they neither have any title to the aforementioned Anambra Oil Wells nor any further claim to make, having been estopped by a Court of competent jurisdiction. In fact, their case was at best considered not only as misconceived or mala fide.
For the people of Kogi State, the combined effect of the Arbitration of 1927, the Legal Notice N0. 126 of 1954 - the Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (Definition of Boundaries), 1954; the Forestry Reserve (Amendment) Order, 1950, which clearly defined the Anambra Forest Reserve as part of Eastern Nigeria (now Anambra State) and the various unchallenged acts of ownership by the Governments of Eastern Nigeria/Anambra State; and the fact that the people of Aguleri have remained in possession of the said land from time immemorial unchallenged, have effectively estopped the people of Kogi State from any claim to the land. From all indication, Kogi people, like the Igga people of Enugu State, will also fail in their claim of Anambra Oil Wells at Aguleri-Otu.
Finally, from the foregoing, it is true and clearly established beyond any reasonable doubt that the Anambra Forest Reserve has the usufractuary title over the land in question, and can use the land at its pleasure and can permit


whosoever it pleases to fish, farm, and hunt or even cut produce of the forest. This is in accordance with the principle of alienation of land; but the position of the true owners enures, remains untouchable, indispensable and superior to any other title.
In conclusion, the people of Aguleri are the true owners of the land in question – that is – the Orient Petroleum Resources Oil Wells, otherwise known as Anambra River Oil Wells.
Thanks and God bless you all.

Well, to win an online debate through falsehood and deception is more valuable than the on-the-site results for some.
Ndi Anambra shall not concede any of their lands to greedy folks.

Rare Diamond:


TRY GETTING YOURSELF A SOUND EDUCATION BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON A PUBLIC FORUM LIKE THIS. THIS FORUM IS NOT MEANT FOR MOR0NS LIKE YOU WHO CANNOT MAKE A CORRECT SENTENCE IN ENGLISH. NEXT TIME USE WANT NOT WON'T.

The national boundary commission as at January 2014 have traced about 80 percent of the boundary together with the representatives of Anambra and Kogi State which have made it clear to all that the oil wells are in Anambra State.

Stop ur useless propaganda, it won't help u. U and ur people shld face reality and stop deceiving urself

abu12: For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

Funny guy. For all your ranting on this oil dispute one thing that is clear from this is that you are not from Kogi state. You are always claiming to speak for the north on this issue and not for Kogi state.
You are most likely Fulani. And if Kogi is any smart, they will distance themselves from you Fulanis because we all know your stock in trade.
If for any reason oil is declared to be in Kogi, the Fulani will start moving there in their thousands under the guise of cattle herding and then start claiming part of the land as theirs and commence the systematic extermination of the locals as usual.
I know the middle beltans are wiser now than ever before. So stop screaming and obsessing about something that doesn't concern u. We can see through your ulterior motives.

PhenomenonVFX:

Funny guy. For all your ranting on this oil dispute one thing that is clear from this is that you are not from Kogi state. You are always claiming to speak for the north on this issue and not for Kogi state.
You are most likely Fulani. And if Kogi is any smart, they will distance themselves from you Fulanis because we all know your stock in trade.
If for any reason oil is declared to be in Kogi, the Fulani will start moving there in their thousands under the guise of cattle herding and then start claiming part of the land as theirs and commence the systematic extermination of the locals as usual.
I know the middle beltans are wiser now than ever before. So stop screaming and obsessing about something that doesn't concern u. We can see through your ulterior motives.

U won't understand, northern as a whole is against creation of additional state for south east, but the person that lead anti-state creation is an Igala man senator Ahmadu Ali from ibaji kogi state. This is the spirit of Arewa at play.

abu12:

Stop ur useless propaganda, it won't help u. U and ur people shld face reality and stop deceiving urself

YOUR STUP.ID RANTINGS WON'T STOP THE NATIONAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION FROM COMPLETING THE DEMARCATION WHICH HAS GOTTEN TO IT'S FINAL STAGES. IT IS CLEAR TO EVERY BODY NOW THAT THE OIL WELLS ARE CLEARLY IN ANAMBRA STATE. IDI.OTS LIKE YOU WOULD BE AMAZE THAT THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE WOULD BE RESOLVED AMICABLY AS THE BOUNDARY WAS TRACED USING LEGAL NOTICE 126 OF 1954, SUPPORTED BY THE MAP OF ONITSHA AND KABBA PROVINCES. THE SURVEYOR AND ATTORNEY GENERALS OF BOTH STATES ARE WITNESSES TO THIS. LETS WAIT FOR THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION TO RELEASE ITS REPORT.

abu12:

U won't understand, northern as a whole is against creation of additional state for south east, but the person that lead anti-state creation is an Igala man senator Ahmadu Ali from ibaji kogi state. This is the spirit of Arewa at play.

Keep fooling yourself. As u have not denied being Fulani, everyone already knows why you are seem more concerned than the Kogi people. Let the result of the boundary resolution come before ranting joblessly.
To my Kogi friends, if for any reason you win this dispute beware of abu12 and his band of rapacious marauding herdsmen. They are not supporting you out of love. To be forewarned is..........

PhenomenonVFX:


Keep fooling yourself. As u have not denied being Fulani, everyone already knows why you are seem more concerned than the Kogi people. Let the result of the boundary resolution come before ranting joblessly.
To my Kogi friends, if for any reason you win this dispute beware of abu12 and his band of rapacious marauding herdsmen. They are not supporting you out of love. To be forewarned is..........

THEY HAVE ALREADY LOST THE DISPUTE AS THE BOUNDARY DEMARCATION WAS ABOUT 80% COMPLETE AS AT JANUARY 2014. THE BOUNDARY DEMARCATION WOULD HAVE LONG BEEN COMPLETED 100 PERCENT SINCE JANUARY 2014 IF NOT THAT THE FIELD TRACING was stalled because access to the river Anambra was blocked by water hyacinth.. AS AT TODAY THE FIELD TRACING IS ALMOST 100 PERCENT COMPLETED, THE OIL WELLS CLEARLY IN ANAMBRA STATE. ANAMBRA IS WAITING FOR THE NBC REPORT BEFORE TAKING STEPS TO ENLIST IN NDDC

abu12: For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

ode

try and learn simple english, it will be of great help to you.

Anambra owns d oil. Check d map and see wia d OPL and refinery falls

etebefia which planet did you came from.

abu12: For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

Stop being deluded Kogi is Middle-belt not Northern Nigeria!

abu12: For the milltia no problem most igala people have talk to said, anambra people will not dare to fight them, except if they won't to die. Hoping kogi will declare first oil producing state in northern nigeria

keep deceiving yourself. there is no oil in kogi. All these propaganda will never work

what an iddiottic and deluded op, so you want to claim what does not belong to you? Gone are the days when you northerners have your way, when time reach we go know how far, f00l.

Op tell your igala brothers to stay away from the oil wells, I don't know if na hausa/fulani is pushing you people to fight for that oil. Your fight has brought more damage than Good to echeano/odeke people. I was at Aguleri last year and I must tell you that the both Igala community are now living in fear. They no longer do their normal fishing at inalo river because of this dispute. People from echeano/odeke community miss everyday because of that land.

Aguleri will never cede their territory to any oppressor.

just imagine what oil does to you all

Tablet Man: Op tell your igala brothers to stay away from the oil wells, I don't know if na hausa/fulani is pushing you people to fight for that oil. Your fight has brought more damage than Good to echeano/odeke people. I was at Aguleri last year and I must tell you that the both Igala community are now living in fear. They no longer do their normal fishing at inalo river because of this dispute. People from echeano/odeke community miss everyday because of that land.

Aguleri will never cede their territory to any oppressor.

i noticed that too,the river is empty on like b4 u see people fishing there i use 2 pass through that river many yrs ago when igalas community was fishing peacefully.I even saw some farms belonging to odeke and echeano people all deserted and destroyed nobody will dear near those farms any longer due to Aguleri people...

FreeGlobe:
keep deceiving yourself. there is no oil in kogi. All these propaganda will never work

It's sad how the north are trying to claim other state's oil. Was this not how one of their leaders made a statement that oil in bayelsa belongs to jigawa. Before we know it now, they'll announce that oil in delta and akwa ibom belongs to kano. Longer throat no good ooo

@OP
Instead of disturbing people online, if u believe it belongs to una, bring out your evidence, give it to the authorities like anambra did and wait for the decision. Rather than trying to use propaganda to try and force them to share with you.

Kai!
How i wish OBJ were president.
He can do boundary demarcation.
He can carve the oil-wells into Kogi,
even if the thing dey onisha.
he will draw line to put it in our kogi state.
that is how he add bakassi to cameroun.
Obj just draw the line.

Here is another angle to the whole story.

It is not just oil that is causing the fight, it appears farmlands are being encroached upon. There should be an amicable way to resolve this crises.

Topic: Kogi Says Tussle with Anambra Is Over Farmlands ,Fishponds Not Oil:


The people of Kogi State who share boundary with Anambra State where there have been lingering boundary disputes have once again disclosed that they are more concerned about access to their farmlands and fishponds and not the presence of oil as is being insinuated.

Kogi State Deputy Governor and Chairman State Boundary Commission,Yomi Awoniyi,made the disclosure at a presentation to the House of Representative Joint Committee set up to interface with parties involved in the alleged encroachment of some parts of Kogi State by Anambra State and to carry out investigation into activities of oil companies in the disputed area.

The Joint Committee meeting was sequel to a motion brought before the House and referred to the Committee’s of Petroleum Resources (upstream) and that of Special Duties.

While noting that oil was only discovered somewhere in the present day Bayelsa in 1956, disclosed that as far back as 1922, documentary evidence of colonial times showed that the first crisis between Kogi and Anambra was over the disputed areas where forest reserves under the Kabba province were being encroached upon to establish Anambra Forest reserves.

The Deputy Governor also said as far back as 1994 there were already efforts between communities in Kogi and Anambra states to use ethnographic references to resolve the areas of dispute in favor of Kogi State,said the inability for the people to access their farmlands and fishing ponds is the state’s concern and not oil.

Awoniyi,called on the committee to do all it can to ensure that the on going peace talks and existing peace currently being enjoyed by the bordering communities is sustained.

While noting that the state government is aware of the unitisation oil policy which will benefit the state by reason of the OPLs 915 that straddles the state when the issues of oil exploration is decided,said the people of the state will not want to let their farmlands and fishing ponds go unhindered.

The Deputy Governor commended the peace that existed between Kogi and its Anambra neighbors until early this year called for it to be sustained,said since the crisis began eleven persons have been killed while sixteen others are currently recuperating in the hospital from gunshots injury.

The Deputy Governor urged the National Boundary Commission not to rely only on the Legal Notices in its judgment of determining the boundaries but on historical proofs and ethnograhic evidence that are gazetted and are in the archives......

http://newsdiaryonline.com/kogi-says-tussle-with-anambra-is-over-farmlandsfishponds-not-oil/

.

No be today the thing start, sef.

TOPIC: Why Anambra Cannot Claim Ownership Of Oil Wells In Igga, By Community Leaders

FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2013 16:17 BY ONYEDIKA AGBEDO BUSINESS SERVICES - BUSINESS NEWS:


THE tension that was generated over the vast oil fields feeding the Orient Petroleum’s Anambra River production facility at Aguleri-Otu in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State is yet abate.

Last Saturday, Aguleri-Otu community in Anambra-East Council of Anambra State, led by the traditional ruler, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, the Eze Ndo, urged the Enugu and Kogi states governments to call their respective indigenes to order over what they described as their continued inflammatory public utterances over the actual location of the oil wells recently commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Igwe Edozieuno had urged those who have issues with the location of the oil well or boundaries of his kingdom to follow it up with the National Boundaries Commission (NBC) and or the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation in the Presidency, saying that was the most reasonable thing to do in the circumstances, instead of stoking crises and tension in the area.

It could be recalled that shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan declared Anambra Nigeria’s 10th oil producing state while inaugurating the indigenous private oil refinery on August 30, 2012, vehement protests came from Enugu and Kogi States challenging their exclusion from oil producing status as Anambra.

The president’s historic declaration albeit inadvertent, was like stirring the hornet’s nest. Although the President did not denounce his pronouncement, he was quick to direct the National Boundary Commissioner to take urgent steps, to determine the actual boundaries between Enugu and Anambra on one hand and Kogi and Anambra on the other hand. Since then, the National Boundary Commission has taken steps to nip the impasse in the bud.

During a recent visit to Igga by The Guardian, an Igalla speaking community in Uzo-Uwani Local Council Area of Enugu State which has been laying claims to the ownership of the oil wells across Imabolo River to feel the pulse of the villagers, a traditional ruler of Igga Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Igwe Herbert Ukuta III, decried the exclusion of Enugu State from benefiting from what he described as “God given endowment” to the state.

“There is no boundary or land dispute whatsoever. Get me right. The communities we have here are Igga, Ogurugu, Ojor and Asaba. The fact was that in those days across Imabollo River, we own the parcel of lands in the oil fields. We have over 100 natural fishponds there. Because our forefathers concentrated in rice farming (not on the land) but at Adarice Farms, they engaged the services of Aguleri fishermen to come and help us harvest our fishponds. After harvesting the fish, we divided it into three, we took two parts as the owners of the land and Aguleri people would take one part. So, it was in the ratio of 1:2.

“Eventually, the Aguleri fishermen who have been coming with canoe from their distant homes pleaded with us to allow them settle on our land so as to make their operations more convenient and safer. They are migrants. Our people considered their plea and allowed them to settle on our land. They continued working for us in the ponds from generation to generation but surprisingly, they started claiming ownership of the land we gave them.

If you go across the river, you will see signposts bearing inscriptions – “Migrant this, migrant that, or settlement that. I would want to ask, “if you are the owner of a land, will you write migrant primary school in a school in your community? It is not possible. Go across the river and you will see the signpost bearing this inscription. So, I don’t know how they managed or what must have come over their heads or mind when they started claiming ownership of our land,” Ukuta said.

He added: “This oil you are talking about was first discovered in the 50s before Nigeria became independent. SAFRAP was the first company to strike the oil. It was an oil prospecting company just like SHELL. The oil was discovered and sealed by the company, because they said it was not in commercial quantity with the type of technology available in those days. Recently, Orient came to us and told us that they have license from the Federal Government to prospect for oil in our land. We inspected their license and saw that it was genuine and gave them right of way to the oil wells, but asked them to stay away from the town’s politics. They passed through here and some of them were living in the community, even in my palace free of charge, with staff of its subsidiary, SINOPET.

“We heard that a refinery was built about 150 kilometers from here in our neighboring state, Anambra. We started hearing news from radio and reading in newspapers that these oil wells on our soil are no longer our own, that they belong to Anambra. Even when Mr. President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan came to commission some projects in Anambra including the Orient Refinery, he also visited here; it was when he left that we heard that Anambra is now an oil producing state. They (Anambra) may have oil in their place, we don’t know, but the oil wells across Imabolo River 915 OPL and 916 OPL are situated naturally on Igga land....

http://www.nigerianmuse.com/20130413034525zg/nigeria-watch/why-anambra-cannot-claim-ownership-of-oil-wells-in-igga-by-community-leaders/

I read this story and laughed really hard.

When will all these "ownership" claims end? Enugu State wants the oil wells too...

Ah ah nah, short story, long longer longest comments, I can't even read one comment especially the one that end with 'take care' and that one that was teaching us history class.. But for people like us that have no strength to read long comments, just read this my own and thank me later.

RareDiamond:



TRY GETTING YOURSELF A SOUND EDUCATION BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON A PUBLIC FORUM LIKE THIS. THIS FORUM IS NOT MEANT FOR MOR0NS LIKE YOU WHO CANNOT MAKE A CORRECT SENTENCE IN ENGLISH. NEXT TIME USE WANT NOT WON'T.

The national boundary commission as at January 2014 have traced about 80 percent of the boundary together with the representatives of Anambra and Kogi State which have made it clear to all that the oil wells are in Anambra State.

Hey RareDiamond,

I think you do not need to insult people to get your point across. Your responses are not exactly correct either. Oil wells are just mediums through which the oil in the reservoirs are brought to the surface (produced). I am a reservoir engineer and it sickens me when ever people mistake oil well from oil blocks or even from reservoirs. Although the wells can be situated at a position in Anambra state, the reservoir can run the entire extent of the block even as far as Benue and Edo states.

For a fact the wells are situated in Anambra, but the block boudaries run a significant amount into Kogi states and therefore subsurface interpretation can show that some part of the pools can be within Kogi state. From the last map I saw regarding this, most of the prospects were within the Kogi boundary although the faults were dipping towards Anambra. I bet that Orient and the Amambra state government will be paying some backlog taxes if this is propoerly explored.

Just a thought tho. I reaffirm that I do not think insulting someone online is the best approach to handling reasonable arguments. There are better and more peaceful ways of getting your message across.

Thanks

Rukki2k:


Hey RareDiamond,

I think you do not need to insult people to get your point across. Your responses are not exactly correct either. Oil wells are just mediums through which the oil in the reservoirs are brought to the surface (produced). I am a reservoir engineer and it sickens me when ever people mistake oil well from oil blocks or even from reservoirs. Although the wells can be situated at a position in Anambra state, the reservoir can run the entire extent of the block even as far as Benue and Edo states.

For a fact the wells are situated in Anambra, but the block boudaries run a significant amount into Kogi states and therefore subsurface interpretation can show that some part of the pools can be within Kogi state. From the last map I saw regarding this, most of the prospects were within the Kogi boundary although the faults were dipping towards Anambra. I bet that Orient and the Amambra state government will be paying some backlog taxes if this is propoerly explored.

Just a thought tho. I reaffirm that I do not think insulting someone online is the best approach to handling reasonable arguments. There are better and more peaceful ways of getting your message across.

Thanks

Oga the contention is the oil well and not the oil reservoir or block boundaries, let us not politicise everything or talk from regional leaning. People's lives are at stake because of these confrontations. Are the oil wells situate(some will try to correct my english saying its "situated", "situate" is a legal term in land matters) in Anambra? if yes, then the boundary commission should reflect that so that the respective boundary communities will lcoexist harmoniously. It shouldnt be about oil politicss, it should be about telling everybody where his or her boundary ended so as to avoid the inter-tribal or communal war. Forget your engineering pedigree, draw the surface map and leave the underground or whatever it contains because the sub-ground belongs to the federal government likewise the air space.

dondaddycares:

Oga the contention is the oil well and not the oil reservoir or block boundaries, let us not politicise everything or talk from regional leaning. People's lives are at stake because of these confrontations. Are the oil wells situate(some will try to correct my english saying its "situated", "situate" is a legal term in land matters) in Anambra? if yes, then the boundary commission should reflect that so that the respective boundary communities will lcoexist harmoniously. It shouldnt be about oil politicss, it should be about telling everybody where his or her boundary ended so as to avoid the inter-tribal or communal war. Forget your engineering pedigree, draw the surface map and leave the underground or whatever it contains because the sub-ground belongs to the federal government likewise the air space.

I understand you @dondaddycares and it makes perfect sense why you should think that the fight is over the wells. I am only saying that kogi is fighting the wrong fight. Its obvious that the wells are situated in Anambra state, but the subsurface belongs to the block owner as well and not the federal government. Orient placing a well in Anambra to drink off Kogi natural resources is enough to cause any uproar. They are however the owners of the block and can chose to exploit it as they please.

Engineering and technology is the only way to go about issues like this. If they are looking at the entry position of these wells, then they are legally in their right to pay royalties to Anambra. But as we all know....reserves are not surface assets and therefore the subsurface boundaries should be looked at rather than what is bring fought over now. Kogi people are right for the uproar, just that the reason is misguided.

I cant wait till they realise what is being done to them tho...everybody's yanashhole will open during this coming marginal round.