Anambra Oil Robbery: Gov Obi Insists Oil Field Belongs to Anambra State

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Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has expressed shock at what he described as claims by some groups and states to the oil field discovered in Anambra State and insisted that the oil belongs to his state.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, the governor also wondered why the claims started after the successful inauguration of the facilities of Orient Petroleum by President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited the state on August 30, 2012.

Tracing the formation of the oil company to the state, Governor Obi recalled that Orient Petroleum Resources Plc was formed during the administration of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju in 2001 and was allocated oil fields domiciled in the state.

“The board is peopled by prominent Nigerians of Anambra extraction such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku as Chairman; Dr. Alex Ekwueme as Vice-Chairman and Chief Arthur Mbanefo, among others. Its management is led by Mr. Emeka Nwawka,” he said.

He noted that though Mbadinuju did not make any direct monetary contribution, the administration of Dr. Chris Ngige invested the sum of N100million in the project between 2003 and 2006.

Obi also disclosed that between 2006 and 2009, his administration invested, directly and indirectly, the sum of N4.4 billion, which according to him, bolstered the confidence of other investors to invest in the venture that made its commissioning a reality.

He stated that his government promoted the project with the vision and belief in the positive impact of the project on the economy of the State and the country.

“While my predecessors never visited the site, I personally laid the foundation of the refinery. I have also visited the site severally since 2006, without any group or state interfering in its ownership as is now the case following the announcement of drilling of oil there,” he added. He also disclosed that till date, neither the group nor the states laying claim to the oil field had, directly or indirectly, invested a kobo in the project, while Anambra State and her people had invested several billions.

“Let me at this juncture state that Anambra State believes in good neighborliness and will, in conformity with our nature, always admire and celebrate other States which may become producers of oil or any other mineral resource in the future. However, we believe that people’s hardwork, sacrifices and investment should be allowed to match their opportunities,” he said.

Obi assured that the State would remain a good neighbor and would continue to pray for oil to be discovered in other states so that Nigeria would emerge an economic giant in the comity of nations.

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