By Emmanuel Ekebe
Earlier this week, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the foremost socio political organization in the fore front of liberating the grossly impoverished region marked a decade of existence with a call for the increase of the derivation fund from 13% to 50%.
PANDEF also called for expedited action on the Lagos – Calabar coastal road which is now facing issues of diversion and alleged lack of a master plan by the same oppressive forces who are probably sworn tormentors and exploiters of the Niger Delta.
According to the communique endorsed by Obong Victor Atta and Ambassador Goodnews Igali, both BOT and National Chairmen respectively, the demand for the increase has become expedient because nothing tangible has come from the 13% pitiance over the years while the oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta continue to suffer the horendous impact of oil exploration.
This is against the humongous wealth being generated from the region round the clock.
Of a truth, these agitations are not new neither are they likely going to end soon in as much as the monumental injustice against the richly endowed region remain unaddressed.
Recall that one of the recommendations of President Jonathan’s unimplemented CONFAB report is the steady increase of the 13% Derivation fund from 25 to 50% over a time frame.
Of course the report did not see the light of the day as the same external rapists and enemies felt (as they still do) that the Niger Delta may become too enriched and empowered to muster a stronger and ferocious resistance to the perpetual enslavement.
The same primordial hawks also twarted the PIA bill that suffered so much hiccups before a very watery version finally came through.
Recall also that in 2016, during President Buhari’s first tenure, PANDEF had made the famous 16 point demand from government when the then vice president, Prof. Yemi Osibajo visited the region to douse rising tension which had again threatened smooth oil and gas production across the region.
Viewed from the background of serial unfulfilled promises by successive regimes to assuage the pains and marginalization of the inhabitants of the Niger Delta, it is my take that this time around, the demands of PANDEF should break from the usual mill of mere anniversary nicessities.
There is no gain saying that the Niger Delta remains the main stay of the Nigerian state.
Apart from the huge oil and gas reserves, the region’s numerous sea ports, rich forests and other abundant natural resources should have placed it as a well cherished bride in a decent setting where equity counts.
Unfortunately, we are captured in an imbalanced contraption that allows strangers not only to control our given resources but equally tolerate them lording over us with impunity.
It is so bad that the current vice president, Alhaji Kashim Shetima while serving as governor openly derided the struggle for resource control when he charged: “resource control my foot”!
We are not only being schemed out of our heritage but also drowned with insult and provoking insinuations.
How do we imagine a Senator from the the North claiming on national television that with their population (assumed and that’s why they won’t subscribe to a credible national census), the “North owns the oil in Niger Delta”.
This is a nation where we claim to be one, but while the gold, lithium, bauxite, lead and other solid minerals in the north are harvested by individuals, our oil and gas are a national asset on the exclusive list.
For how long should the triversty of justice and pretence of one Nigeria continue?
To me, shying away from the truth is never a solution and so, it is time to take the bull by the horn because; if we talk, we die; and if don’t talk, we are still going to die!
Therefore, the PANDEF demands now should carry weight and bare some fangs especially with the 2027 elections around the corner.
Our foes are stubborn, recalcitrant, heartless and very deep with conspirators amongst us so much that they won’t bulk easily.
So, let a time line be set for a few selected items while all presidential candidates are to be tasked to make specific pronouncements on bitting issues concerning the Niger Delta.
Towards this end, I advocate that firstly, we should insist that the implication of 50% Derivation should be incorporated into the 2027 budget while the necessary constitutional amendment be given accelerated passage in the same prompt manner president Tinubu loan requests are treated.
Secondly, the construction of the Lagos – Calabar coastal road should begin in this dry season from both Calabar and Delta State sections to convince us that the entire process is not yet another ” Yoruba agenda”
The third leg is that as demanded in the 2016 PANDEF agenda, the head offices of all oil and gas companies and regulatory agencies including NORSRA, NUPRC, DPR etc should be relocated to the Niger Delta before the end of first quarter of next year.
Otherwise, let someone convince me that the Niger or Kano states’ government houses should be in Abuja just because they want to be able to brief the Presidency regularly.
To achieve the road map in these regards, I suggest that PANDEF leadership relying on its 10th anniversary season should quickly seek audience with the President using both formal and informal channels with the caveat that all is not well with the Niger Delta inspite of some of our people routing for the ruling APC.
The time to pretend is OVER and the nation may not be able to survive another turmoil in the Niger Delta if the narrative is not changed quickly.
Let those who have ears hear what the oracle is saying as a stitch in time saves nine?
