The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has called on the Federal Government to increase the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13 per cent to 50 per cent.
This is contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee and read by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali in Abuja.
According to the communique, the Forum says the increase will help address environmental pollution, infrastructure deficits and other development challenges facing the Niger Delta.
It also calls for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation, arguing that oil-producing communities should benefit fairly from the resources extracted from their environment.
The Forum says the Niger Delta had continued to face the effects of environmental degradation caused by petroleum activities.
It therefore urges the Federal Government to provide adequate and sustained funding for the Ogoni cleanup programme.
The communique also calls for environmental remediation in other oil-producing communities, including Nembe Creek in Bayelsa State, Odidi in Delta State and Kula in Rivers State.
PANDEF stresses that affected communities needed lasting solutions to pollution and its effects on their livelihoods.
On infrastructure, the Forum calls for the accelerated completion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and improved road networks across the South-South region.
It says good roads were important for trade, transportation, tourism and economic development.
PANDEF also announces plans to establish a high-level technical committee to support the Federal Ministry of Works on the coastal highway project and the committee is expected to contribute technical advice and help promote the timely completion of the project.
The Forum welcomes efforts to modernise the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar and also supported the proposed development of deep-sea ports in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states.
It urges the government to put sustainable funding arrangements in place to ensure their completion.
On energy, PANDEF calls for increased investment in natural gas development, electricity generation, gas-based industries and modular refineries noting that developing these sectors could create jobs, encourage local production and expand economic opportunities for residents of the region.
The Forum also stresses the need to improve agriculture across the South-South and identified palm oil, rice, cassava and other crops suited to the region as areas with strong economic potential.
PANDEF says farmers needed better access to modern farming methods, processing facilities, storage, financing and markets noting that investment in these areas would help reduce post-harvest losses, increase production and improve the incomes of farmers.
The Forum further proposed the establishment of a South-South investment fund to mobilise resources from individuals, businesses and institutions for regional development stressing that the fund could support infrastructure, business growth and job creation.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, PANDEF urges residents of the South-South to participate peacefully in the electoral process and choose candidates based on their programmes, competence and commitment to public service.
The Forum calls on political leaders and public office holders from the Niger Delta, particularly those serving at the federal level, to support efforts aimed at promoting the region’s interests emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation among stakeholders in addressing the challenges facing the area.
PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to working with federal and state governments, traditional rulers, the private sector and other stakeholders
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Obong Victor Attah, and the National Chairman of the National Executive Committee, Ambassador Godknows Igali, alongside other members of the Forum.
