Stock Intake Question

Hi

I want to clean up this stock intake and have questions about the rivetted cover on the underside.

Can I remove it?
Should I remove it?
If I remove it how should I put it back?
Should I bother putting it back?
What was it meant to do? (I'm guessing to help prevent oil from heavily carboning to the heated cross over under the plenum but thats a guess)

Thank you