The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the federal government, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly to lift the oil‑derivation share for oil‑producing states from the existing 13 % to a minimum of 50 %, to fast‑track the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and to launch a comprehensive environmental remediation programme across the Niger Delta.
Key points highlighted by PANDEF include:
- The 13 % minimum derivation has not changed for more than twenty years despite persistent environmental damage and economic hardship in oil‑producing communities.
- The forum demands the removal of the on‑shore/off‑shore revenue split, arguing that offshore activities also harm marine ecosystems and coastal fisheries.
- A market‑based South‑South investment fund is proposed to pool resources from individuals, businesses and institutions for critical sector investment, job creation and regional connectivity.
- PANDEF calls on all 2027 presidential candidates to present clear, time‑bound plans for environmental restoration and infrastructure development, especially the completion of the Lagos‑Calabar highway.
- Specific polluted sites such as Nembe Creek (Bayelsa), Odidi (Delta) and Kula (Rivers) are identified for urgent intervention, alongside sustained funding for the Ogoni clean‑up programme.
- The forum supports modular refineries, seeking financing, licensing and technical assistance to complement larger refining projects and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
What does PANDEF propose for revenue allocation?
Ambassador Godknows Igali, PANDEF National Chairman, said at a board meeting in Abuja, “The minimum 13 % derivation allocation has remained unchanged for more than two decades. We are demanding an upward review to 50 % and the abolition of the on‑shore/off‑shore dichotomy in revenue allocation.”
Why is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway critical?
The 750‑kilometre corridor is expected to link the coastal states, boost trade, and unlock opportunities in the blue and marine economies. PANDEF welcomed the government’s decision to retain the original alignment, describing the highway as “non‑negotiable” for the region’s development.
How will the proposed investment fund operate?
The forum envisions a market‑driven fund that attracts capital from private investors, institutions and diaspora Nigerians. The capital would be channelled into enterprise development, infrastructure projects and job‑creating ventures, with PANDEF planning to work with private‑sector partners to design a workable framework.
What are the expectations for the 2027 elections?
PANDEF urged South‑South voters to exercise their civic duties peacefully and to support candidates whose programmes align with the region’s aspirations. The forum also called on presidential hopefuls to present measurable, time‑bound environmental remediation plans and to address the region’s infrastructure deficit.
In summary, PANDEF’s ten‑year anniversary meeting underscored a comprehensive agenda: a dramatic increase in oil‑derivation, the removal of revenue allocation disparities, accelerated highway construction, robust environmental clean‑up, and the creation of a South‑South investment fund to drive sustainable development.