At its sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Assembly asked the state government to set up a department to coordinate oil activities in the state, calling on the National Boundary Commission to fast-track the boundary demarcation between Kogi and Anambra states. These resolutions followed a motion moved by John Abah of Ibaji State Constituency, appealing to the state government to ensure the declaration of Kogi State as an oil producing state. Abah said the Federal Government had successfully drilled four oil wells in Kogi, Edo and Anambra states. The lawmaker added that two out of the four oil wells were located in Ibaji, Kogi State. Friday Sanni from Igalamela Odolu State Constituency, who seconded the motion, said the matter before the House deserved a courageous decision for it to stand the test of time. He recalled that 10 oil wells were also discovered in Igalamela Odolu between 1980 and 1984. Friday Ali, on his part, stated that if adequate action was taken, the state government would get 13 per cent derivation, urging the executive to put pressure on the Federal Government to recognise Kogi State as an oil producing state. Haruna Idoko representing Idah noted that the naming of the state as an oil producing state would bail the state from the present economic hardship. The Deputy Speaker, Ali Aku, added that more than 50 per cent of the oil wells allocated to Anambra State, were in Kogi State, calling on the Federal Government to review the status of the confluence state. An ad hoc committee was suggested by Toyin Laval to get more details about Igalamela and Ibaji for the House to know the next line of action. The Speaker of the House, Alfa Imam, while commending the mover of the motion, said it was unfortunate that the state was slow in pushing for how it would be included among the oil producing states. The speaker set up a six-man ad hoc committee, to be chaired by Abah, to work on the details of how to get the state classified as an oil producing state.]]>