As part of the efforts to resolve the oil crisis issue among Anambra, Kogi and Enugu, a reconciliatory meeting has been scheduled for November 29 and 30 in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
Disclosing this Thursday in Abuja, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State expressed the hope that the meeting would address the issues amicably.
The National Boundary Commission and the boundary commission are expected to be part of the meeting.
The meeting is a follow-up to the one held at the instance of the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
He said, “The Federal Government has taken it as a serious matter, yesterday (Wednesday) Mr. President conveyed a meeting of Kogi, Anambra and Enugu State and the matter is fully under control.
“A lot of work has been done by the National Boundary Commission and Mr. President directed them to expedite the processes and a meeting has been scheduled to hold in Lokoja, Kogi State capital on the 29th of November and 30th of November precisely to address at the highest level of the National Boundary Commission and the boundary commissions of the three states to resolve the boundary issues and expedite action in concluding the matter.
“So areas of conflict have now been minimised. The three states are working in full conducive atmosphere and I am confident that the matter will be resolved.”
Wada also said Vice President Namadi Sambo briefed the National Economic Council that he had set machinery in motion to resolve any area of conflict between Cross River and Rivers States.
He said the feuds currently ensuing among state over oil wells had not yet reached the level of war or discord.
“It is normal to contest some of these issues in relationship between states. The Federal Government has the framework and the machinery through the National Boundary Commission to resolve such matters,” he said.
Shortly in August after Jonathan inaugurated Orient Petroleum situated in Aguleri-Otu, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Kogi and Enugu governments started laying claims to ownership of the land where the oil wells are located, thus sparking off crisis.
Jonathan had during that one-day state visit to Anambra State proclaimed the state as the 10th oil-producing state in the country.
That presidential proclamation was said to have aroused the consciousness of the neighbouring Kogi and Enugu states to the location of the oil wells.
Wada had called on his people to protect the installations and assets of Orient Petroleum Resources on Ibaji land.
The governor believes that Kogi and Anambra states should have equal titles as far as Orient Refinery is concerned.
But Obi insisted that the oil wells currently being exploited by Orient Petroleum Resources belonged to the state.
He recalled that the firm was formed by the administration of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju in 2001 and was allocated oil fields domiciled in Anambra State.
He said his administration had invested N4.4 billion in the project directly and indirectly.
