Morung Express News
Dimapur | Dec 28
Oil rights to the reserves of hydrocarbon deposits in Nagaland are not subject to exclusivity, Nagaland Development Commissioner, Lalthara, today said. Lalthara, who is also CEO for Geology and Mining to the Nagaland Government, told The Morung Express that an agreement between the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and the Lotha Hoho was presently “not in the picture.” He added, “There is no real understanding.”
On the recent Joint Cooperation Agreement signed between the Nagaland government and the Canadian oil firm Canoro, the senior bureaucrat said the foreign oil company’s area of operation is “to a limited extent” and spread over areas in Nagaland and Assam. The name of the block is identified as AA-ON7. Canoro and the Mineral Development Corporation, an agency of the Nagaland government, will, according to reports, ‘mutually assist’ each other.
The other ‘major players’ such as ONGC have a higher stake in oil rights in Nagaland, it was informed.
Lotha Hoho President, Nyanbemo Ngullie, when contacted, said he was being kept in the dark over the outcome of talks between the government and ONGC. Still awaiting further developments, Ngullie said he was looking forward to further meetings with the parties concerned.
