As Jonathan declares Anambra oil state...Kogi stakes claim to same oil wells

As President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated the first oil refinery in Anambra State, the Kogi State government stepped forward same day to stake a claim to the oil wells that will serve the refinery.
President Jonathan opened the refinery being built by Orient Petroleum at Aguleri Otu in Anambra East local government area and declared Anambra an oil producing state.

But moments later across the border in Kogi State, Governor Idris Wada said in a statement: “Kogi will be a major stake holder in the refinery, considering the fact the oil wells that will service the refinery are in Odeke Community in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state.”

Wada made the claim in a statement issued from the office of his deputy Yomi Awoniyi, a day after a community group issued a public notice saying that the oil deposits claimed by Anambra State are within the Odeke community of Kogi State.

Governor Wada said in the statement yesterday that the state “is doing everything humanly possible to resolve the issues surrounding the location of the oil wells with the contending states.”

The statement ended on a note of optimism: “Kogi State will soon join the league of oil producing states in the country.”

But speaking yesterday at the ceremony to kick-start his company’s oil refinery in Anambra State, Orient Petroleum chairman Chief Emeka Anyaoku said the controversy over ownership of the oil deposits has been resolved and that the ‘bulk’ of the deposits are within Anambra territory.

He however added that any state where oil was found and drilled by Orient Petroleum would be accorded due recognition.

“There was misconception that the oil well was not entirely in Anambra, that has been resolved through the map of Nigeria. Let me quickly state that the two oil blocks encompassed parts of Enugu, Kogi, Delta and Edo states but bulk of it is in Anambra,” Anyaoku said.

He said in addition to the private shareholders, other bodies that have shares in the company include Anambra, Rivers, Kogi and the 21 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the commissioning of the refinery, President Jonathan said the Federal Government was committed to oil exploration in all the sedimentary basins and commended the oil company for pioneering the inland crude oil production in the country.

“The good news is not Orient Oil and Anambra basin alone, the good news is for all our sedimentary basins all over the country,” Jonathan said. He said it would give confidence to other investors to invest in other inland sedimentary basins.

Jonathan urged operators in the oil industry, especially those at the upstream sector, not to think only about exporting crude oil but should also add value to it and export refined products.

“We have a lot of gas resources in Anambra Basin from meteorological records,” he said.

“Orient Petroleum has helped us not just in producing the crude oil but adding value to the crude oil. As a nation, we should not continue to think that we will be exporting crude oil materials abroad.

“The vision of Orient to diversify into refining and power generation, among others is the way to go. People who refine crude oil make more money than us who export the crude commodity,” he added.

Anyaoku said crude refining by the company would commence by next year, and that when the refining facility was completed about 20,000 litres of crude would be refined daily.

In his remarks, Governor Peter Obi, assured that he would continue to partner with the company to develop the oil sector of the state.

‘The oil belongs to Kogi’

Meanwhile, a group called Ibaji Development Association (IDA) warned that the oil wells OPL 915 and 916 are located in Kogi and not Anambra State as claimed by Orient Petroleum which is carrying out exploration in the area.

In a message to President Jonathan ahead of his visit to the area yesterday, IDA said “the area where the current productive oil well is located is in Odeke community in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi state and not in Anambra State.”

“Oil exploration activities leading to the successful access to crude oil were carried out in Kogi state within Odeke, Echeno, Ehile, Anocha and Omabo communities by Orient Petroleum Plc. Workers of this company actually rented houses in these communities as quarters for their staff for the final phase 1 of oil well production testing of these wells. Phase 2 is due at the end of September 2012 in Uchuchu, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh also within Ibaji local government area of Kogi state,” the group said.

IDA said Ibaji area was in conflict with the people of Agulere and Otuocha in Anambra State over ownership of the oil wells since 1994 which led to loss of lives and property.

The association called on President Jonathan to officially declare Kogi as an oil producing state saying “our non-resistant stance should not be misconstrued to mean cowardice, even in the face of glaring provocation from Anambra state, whose communities are already head over heels over the benefits of the oil wells that do not belong to them.”

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/other-sections/lead-stories/175804-as-jonathan-declares-anambra-oil-statekogi-stakes-claim-to-same-oil-wells

`This trash is good for dustbin. Let me catch you almajiris in Anambra oil basin. Maybe you ediots should start once again to re-draw map of Nigeria to deny the Light of Nation- Anambra what is in its custody. We dey wait for you parasites. Today Anambra is in the club of oil producing state and an oil and gas refinery to match. Anambra the first[b]ers[/b].

Oh its Dailytrust.lol

When will this crude oil curse stop? Imagine the lives that has been lost since 1994 cos of some madness over nature's gift.Very sad.

I tnk God for Anambra state o, but don't cheat ur neighbor, give them their share.... Don't be greedy.

chino24: `This trash is good for dustbin. Let me catch you almajiris in Anambra oil basin. Maybe you ediots should start once again to re-draw map of Nigeria to deny the Light of Nation- Anambra what is in its custody. We dey wait for you parasites. Today Anambra is in the club of oil producing state and an oil and gas refinery to match. Anambra the first[b]ers[/b].

You are very sick and I think you need urgent medical attention to think we are cowards.
We know the greediness that flows in the viens of many from your place. .
If you want almajiris, I'll advice you take your ar.se to the core north. . there you'll find them, not in kogi state.
Mind you, if you think I care about the oyel discovered either in my state or your state, I'll advice you dig a 25ft well and fall into it.
#just a piece for you to reconstruct your manners.

Hahahaha

Rant all you like e-warriors whether u like it or not Anambra must share that oyel with Kogi.

States should not just explore Oil and Gas deposits. There are other natural resources deposits everywhere. We need to build Steel companies. God,there is so much investment opportunities in Nigeria. Aluminum Ore, Iron Ore etc.

agent22: Oh its Dailytrust.lol

please tell us. What about daily trust?

Who cares.....guex oil hav spoilt the gud manners n ethics of sharing brotherhood of countrypeepz......1day anambra peasant dwellers wil fight n kill kogi peasant dwellers n our leaders will relax in abuja.....eating nd spending d money dese poor men wil fight 4......nd d peasant dat fought 4 it wil die hungry n wretchs....hahahaha fools,itz high tym nigerians get wise and knw dat we are 1,setting aside segregation,religious n tribal differences n embrace peace 4 d betterment of nigeria.....am an anambrarian bt dat oil belongs 2 nijiria.....

It is becoming clearer by the day that crude oil will soon be found in virtually all states and in almost all countries in the world , and when this happens the petrol will no longer be useful as coal is no longer useful. Then alternative sources of energy would have replaced the demon killer called crude oil

Can we get the map of Nigeria please....we need to analyse this thing....

But why are these kogi people acting funny. They have so many natural resource which they haven't explore, why don't they give others chance to explore this little one. *smh*

This is a highly contentious issue.I forsee a long drawn litigation if this is not settled out of court,the Kogians could even get militant over the issue and we would have another crude oil related crisis on our hands in the middle belt.

I think the best solution out of this would be to call the area where crude deposits are discovered a Joint Development Zone ,while each adjoining state would share from the crude to the extent of encroachment by Orient Petroleum.

But Nigerians no dey take eye see or hear oil at all.I pray oil finishes someday soon so we can all think with our God given brains.

this is decption, fraud and a deliberate act of diversifying another state resources to east.
A repeat of oil in the south and refinery in north.
oil in kogi but to be refined in anambra, a fool will accept your analogy of large deposit in anambra.
GGRREEEEED.

MOst of the oil wells are in Anambra with a few in Enugu and Kogi states. That's not enough to make them an oil producing state. Though due recognition should be given to them.

chino24: `This trash is good for dustbin. Let me catch you almajiris in Anambra oil basin. Maybe you ediots should start once again to re-draw map of Nigeria to deny the Light of Nation- Anambra what is in its custody. We dey wait for you parasites. Today Anambra is in the club of oil producing state and an oil and gas refinery to match. Anambra the first[b]ers[/b].

Indigenous Kogi people are mainly Yoruba, Igbira,Igala, Igede, Nupe and Junkun. HausaFulani Jihadists conquered the area at the same time that Ilorin Kwara was conquered and Aareonakakanfo Afonja was killed.

cashcpt:

Indigenous Kogi people are mainly Yoruba, Igala, Igede, Nupe and Junkun. HausaFulani Jihadists conquered the area at the same time that Ilorin Kwara was conquered and Aareonakakanfo Afonja was killed.

Why the history lesson?

afam4eva:
Why the history lesson?

Sorry no vex but d kogi ppl are not almajiris

cashcpt:

Indigenous Kogi people are mainly Yoruba, Igbira,Igala, Igede, Nupe and Junkun. HausaFulani Jihadists conquered the area at the same time that Ilorin Kwara was conquered and Aareonakakanfo Afonja was killed.

....which kain peole be Junkunnu? ohhhh....na the cross-eyed tribe...ok...gat ya

All that long sermon for what na? After the 1st 5 paragraphs...d rest na bla bla!

So, see small anambra o! E don join big boys league! Congratulobia! Hehehe

cashcpt:

Sorry no vex but d kogi ppl are not almajiris

Is Almajiri a tribe?

This country is so damn blessed....No worry if you nor get oyel there are other minerals deposits all over naija.

You need to see a breakdown of all the rich deposits in our soil.This a call to business minded people to cash into this land flowing with milk and honey.

We cant all wait for the government. So much to go round!

afam4eva: MOst of the oil wells are in Anambra with a few in Enugu and Kogi states. That's not enough to make them an oil producing state. Though due recognition should be given to them.

How many oil wells are in Abia,Ondo and Calabar (untill recently) before they were pronounced oil producing states by the Federal Govt?

I trust my fellow Anambranians. Make we catch any northern slubberdegullions near that oil well, then we go show them what we are made of.

Charles.nerd:


How many oil wells are in Abia,Ondo and Calabar (untill recently) before they were pronounced oil producing states by the Federal Govt?

You tell me...if we follow your logic then almost every state in Nigeria will be an oil producing state.

Acidosis:


You are very sick and I think you need urgent medical attention to think we are cowards.
We know the greediness that flows in the viens of many from your place. .
If you want almajiris, I'll advice you take your ar.se to the core north. . there you'll find them, not in kogi state.
Mind you, if you think I care about the oyel discovered either in my state or your state, I'll advice you dig a 25ft well and fall into it.
#just a piece for you to reconstruct your manners.

Shut up your pie hole you 24hrs ever bleeding swine......you are totally despicable and out rightly dumb....face the topic and quit denigrating ndi anambra...


@topic...let the kogi mongrels come...we will show them pepper...what nerves...kogi guys that couldnt fight a few runaway boko boys wants to dare the pride of the entire black nation...smh

chino24: `This trash is good for dustbin. Let me catch you almajiris in Anambra oil basin. Maybe you ediots should start once again to re-draw map of Nigeria to deny the Light of Nation- Anambra what is in its custody. We dey wait for you parasites. Today Anambra is in the club of oil producing state and an oil and gas refinery to match. Anambra the first[b]ers[/b].

Look at this idiot I am an igala and infact from ibaji gan gan and am happy for both anambra and kogi and the communities that will enjoy this -- and you here hatin fool greedy asshole callin and igalaman almajiri --ignorance -blinded by tribalism-dont you know we in ibaji share comon tradition with anamnbra igbos - we r your brother stop being greedy - anumanu

The people occupying those areas in kogi state can go to any length, to get what belongs to them. They are not cowards and the earlier the federal government resolve this issue, the better it will be for all the parties involved and the nation at large. D blood shed by Boko Haram, is enough, we cannot afford to have more conflicts.

If Chino commits suicide, we will put the blame on Kogi people.

All the fight about oil? Has anyone wondered why this oil is more of a curse than blessing?

Even this oil will cause more confusion 10 years from now... Well,

afam4eva:
You tell me...if we follow your logic then almost every state in Nigeria will be an oil producing state.

Imo is an oil producing state and a member state of NDDC ,however IMO has only marginally producing wells towards the Egbema axis which shares the same boundary with Egbema in Rivers state (actually the same homogenous community divided due to the politics of oil in Nigeria).

My point is,even if the wells in your state are marginal,you would be recognised as an oil producing state.It was this reluctance to include Anambra as an oil producing state,coupled with politically/ethnically driven motives that delayed the exploration of gas and crude at Otuocha basin which has over 50bn cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and crude.