01 November 2012, Sweetcrude, ABUJA – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday opened media talks between Enugu, Anambra and Kogi states governments over ownership and control of oil wells in the Anambra exploration basin.
The talks, held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, had Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, his counterpart in Kogi, Idris Wada and the deputy governors of Enugu and Kogi states, in attendance.
Also at the meeting were the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; representatives of the National Boundary Commission; traditional ruler of Aguleri community; Senator Ayogu Eze; Senator Aidoko; commissioners of justice of the feuding states, some other stakeholders as well as some top presidential aides.
At the end of the meeting, Gov. Obi spoke to State House correspondents, saying: “The outcome of the meeting is very amicable. The issues regarding areas where the oil wells are located will be settled amicably. We will work together as states of this federation.”
Gov. Wada said: “The President’s intervention is to get to tell the boundary commission to do its work in an expeditious manner that our people who live in those areas do not get too agitated and take the law into their hands.
“The President has given the necessary directives. We are very happy with the meeting, we are going back very happy to tell our people that Mr. President is handling this matter in an expeditious manner according to laid down procedures and at the end of the day the matter will be resolved amicably.”
Crisis over ownership of oil wells in the Anambra basin began few days after Jonathan, in August, inaugurated Orient Petroleum situated in Aguleri-Otu, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, declaring the state as the country’s 10th oil producing state.
Kogi and Enugu governments promptly rose to challenge Anambra’s claims over the oil wells, claiming as theirs the land where the oil wells are located.
