 Welcome back to the breakfast on PLOS TV Africa. Now in our first conversation it's on the demand by PANDEV, that's the Pan-Nighter Delta Forum, demanding a 50% increase, that's from 13% derivation. Right, now just to also mention that you also have some members of the House of Representatives who have requested that a part of the Constitution subsection 162, subsection 2, 1999 as amended be deleted. This is to allow the revenue directly to the governors, I mean saying delete this revenue sharing from the Constitution. So that has generated a lot of reaction, a lot of talks and this is not the first time the issue of derivation is on the front burner of this cause. But we do have with us this morning, we're going to be having a conversation with the spokesperson of PANDEV, Ken Robinson. Ken Robinson thank you for joining us, he is the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEV. It's good to have you join us this morning on the show. Good morning to you and good morning to you as across the world, good morning Nigeria. And once again it's nice to be here and we thank you for this opportunity. Okay so let's go straight to the crux of the matter, what are the consents of PANDEV? That will be my first question to you, what are your consents? Consents, the consents of PANDEV are the consents of the Niger Delta people. PANDEV is committed to the collective wishes and aspirations and of course the consents of the Niger Delta people across the region and that's what we stand for, that's what we project, that's what we promote, that's our focus and so our consign, this demand for 50 percent of derivation is of 13 percent, that is what it used to be, let us not forget that following the McFarcy's constitution of 1946 and the Richard's constitution of 1951. No, Richard's constitution is 1946, the Richard's constitution is 1946 and the McFarcent constitution is 1951. Yes, sorry for that CS, thank you for that correction. So it's 1946 constitution and 1951 constitution of McFarcent, derivation principle became a major factor in revenue sharing in Nigeria and this was reflected in the 1960 and the 1963 constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At that time, when Koko in the west, Granote in the north and of course Bamfrogus and Kohl in the east were the mainstay of the nation's economy, it was 50 percent at some point it was even more than 50 percent but it is sad that since crude oil became the economic mainstay of the country, derivation principles have been suppressed, grossly suppressed, at some point it was zero, at some point it was 1 percent and during the upper deck period it was 1.3 percent and thanks goodness that those who framed the 1999 constitution and of course made a constitutional conference before then increased it to 13 percent which is even part three compared to the 50 percent that other regions were enjoying when they had their own resources. So what Pandef is saying is that let us go back to what it used to be. Ridiculously, some dishonorable members of the National Assembly are thinking of deleting derivation principle because the target is derivation principle, the cosine is 13 percent don't forget that the derivation principle was included to kind of recompense the people of any area in Nigeria where natural resources were being exploited and due to the consequences of the operations of the industry, in Nigeria Delta have suffered a lot, our environment has been degraded, livelihoods means of livelihood have been devastated, our people are living in abject poverty and the government of Nigeria has not done enough so to kind of if you like to say to improve the resulting their standard of living of our people. The Niger Delta today has reduced the vision of struggle for survival you know and it is so annoying, so provocative that some persons will consider even deleting the part three 13 percent that were even being given and it's not even 13 percent as it were complete 30 percent because if it is 13 percent it's every revenue earned by Nigeria True Crude Oil the 13 percent should should should apply to it but what they do today is is the benchmark for the budget that the 13 percent applies to so the excess crude account we should get 13 percent of it if it is 30 percent but now the Nigeria Delta people position is that it is 50 percent or nothing less. Okay so well I also like to find out the demand for 50 50 percent are you demanding for host communities or is Pandev demanding for governors because I also remember that there's been some kind of conflict between you know stakeholders and governors so who is Pandev demanding the 50 percent increase for? Pandev's position is that there is no difference between governors and host communities the governors are elected by the people of Nigeria Delta of their states if by using of a 14 1999 constitution there are there are no strong institutions to to to check the excesses of governors don't forget that the constitution of Nigeria has made the president of Nigeria to be like a god of Nigeria and the governors are demigods so it's not the problem of of the governors it's is the quality constitution if if the the people have the power as it is it is supposed to be the governors will not do what is not aligned with the people so we are not asking for host communities we're not asking for governors we're asking for the people of Niger Delta Niger Delta belongs to everybody the governors come from a community if if we are in a proper system a proper constitution where there are checks and balances still the excesses that we are seeing being demonstrated by by governors not just governors of the Niger Delta governors across the 36 days of the federation and of course the presidents the excesses the the the dictatorial tendencies will not be there if we have a proper system if we have a proper democratic structures and institutions to to monitor and check the excesses of this of these elected officials so so we are asking for the Niger Delta people the Niger Delta is demanding 50 percent of of our resources before we talk about sharing that is what it used to be but that is what they not before now used to to to to develop their area and and provided massive scholarships to their people that is what the west used to advance itself building the first this and the first that and the first this and then provided massive education free education at all level because they had 50 percent of resources now we are being given at some point zero percent by by the decree of 1959 where it was said that it was to because they wanted to use resources for the war the war has been over for about 50 60 years and we are still talking about the derivation here we want 50 that's the position of the Niger Delta people okay for those who think that they can delete the derivation we have said it is a legislative coup against mineral producing areas of Nigeria and regions of Nigeria and those men are dishonorable they don't have any reason to be in the federal house of representatives of Nigeria so you have also mentioned that zero percent when you say zero percent are located what what does that mean can you please clarify that please come again you talked about zero percent allocation what does zero percent allocation mean at some point in the 70s it was zero percent allocation there was no that is there was no derivation derivation was zero at at some point in Nigeria and then I think it was during the the Babangidar regime when they set up umpade oil mineral producing areas development commission it was 1.3 percent today it is by reason of the constitution of 1999 it's 13 percent we are saying yes and that that there should have been a review every five years the derivation principle has not been reviewed for about 20 about 22 years so we are saying at this time we want 50 percent that's what it used to be what others enjoy the Niger Delta people should also enjoy it is it is disturbing that the Nigerian state and by extension Nigerians from other regions of this country continue to treat the Niger Delta in such a shabby manner we have breastfeed Nigeria for all these years without the food from Niger Delta we don't know what Nigeria would have been like okay so last so enough of this this this neglect enough of this regard we deserve we are critical stakeholders in fact as one of our leaders we are critical shareholders of the Nigerian project what others enjoy the Niger Delta people should also enjoy it so we are asking for 50 percent derivation although I was hoping for some clarity with who a pandemic is representing at this point in time whether the host communities which are stakeholders or you know the governors at this point in time but however you also have stakeholders I mean persons host communities saying that the demand for 50 percent increase is not you know governors have not been able to justify it and they have not been able to judiciously explain how 13 percent is used because the issue of infrastructure deficit is still very great in the region as you don't have access to portable water drinking water and road infrastructure amongst other issues so I'd like you to share your thoughts on that this stakeholders are saying that the governors have not been very judicious in spending that their themes be sent you know that has been allocated to the region that that narrative is neither here nor there and it's a narrative that some sections of the country some very uniform persons in the corridors of power have also been counting that what have you done with the resources that been given to you unfortunately some of these persons have never been to the Niger Delta the host communities are complaining now members of the host communities are complaining no let me let me come what I'm saying is this and it's categorical quotes us anywhere we are speaking for the Niger Delta people there is no well informed there is no well meaning Niger Delta person who is without political and personal prejudice that will say that the demand for 50 percent is out of place no Niger Delta anyone we are saying that is say is a political psychopath or is agreed for for one reason or the other the Niger Delta people are dissatisfied with the way we have been treated by the Nigerian state and so the position of the Niger Delta people and Pandem is not speaking for host communities Pandem is not speaking for governors Pandem is speaking for the collective interests of the Niger Delta people that's what we stand for we had a meeting on Monday and we had people traditional rulers leaders of host communities representatives of governments and and activists youths women leaders were in that meeting Pandem represents the collective interests and aspirations of the Niger Delta people and that's what we're saying that whether the governors have used these resources probably or not is secondary but have they done so no to some extent but it is not peculiar to the Niger Delta it's a Nigerian problem and it arises from the faulty constitution we have because there are no proper checks and balances the assemblies are the pockets of the governors the national assemblies in the pocket of the president that is the situation we have in Nigeria and that's what we're asking for fundamental changes in terms of restructuring of the political system of the constitution and of the structure of Nigeria until we have a proper structure where things are done rightly we will have to continue to have these complaints but to say that because perhaps one governor the other is not doing what somebody thinks that he should do and so the people of Nigeria should be denied what is their right it is completely ridiculous we are saying that the people of Nigeria that are saying we are tired of this disregard we're tired of this neglect and we want 50 percent derivation as it used to be that's an underlying factor that is what obtains when there was cocoa and granades as main states of the nation's economy why is it different now that it is food oil because we are Niger Delta people because we're minorities is it because of the diversities and the complexities of the Niger Delta God has a reason why has made us so and has blessed this land with this so much resources perhaps and definitely to compensate for the difficult terrain that we live in like those who are scared to lead Nigeria go around Nigeria visit Nigeria and know this country most of us speak from USA and guest stations they don't know Nigeria we don't know this country we don't love this country if we love this country we will not do some of the things that we've been doing as leaders of Nigeria okay but one of the major concern in a country I mean like you've rightly mentioned is the issue of accountability and we have never seen anyone the world where funds and resources are enough and no one is also saying that you know the demand for 50 percent is not okay or it's I mean it's not your right to demand for that but the question still is with the 13 percent that has been put out that's been given for about 22 other about how efficient what infrastructures what projects can you categorically mention that you know the region has actually achieved with that or with the resources that has been allocated can you mention any any development any structure or anything the best response will be to say that I wish we had pictures of what Niger Delta used to used to be in 1998-1999 the roads the structures and then what it is today the rivers that we are coming from in 1999 there was no roads to Opopo kingdom a riverine community today there is a road you can drive to Opopo you can drive to Andoni by by to in coral that's that's that's development is that enough perhaps no they could have done better but the fact remains that if you have tools that that you can abuse you will abuse them where human beings when there are no checks and balances look at what is going on in the national assembly look look at what is going on across all the states when local government elections are conducted in the particular state 90 percent or 80 percent or 100 percent of elected officials are from the party controlling the state does that mean that all the other parties didn't have people that are liked by the citizens of those states we have issues fundamental issues in Nigeria and it boils down to the constitution we were operating with we're saying for Nigeria to stand firmly as a united progressive indivisible country they are asked to be restructuring when we have restructured and the people have the power to choose those that will become their governors and senators the house of assembly members the house of red members and even the president they will begin to behave better but to say that there is no development in the Niger Delta is it's a fallacy and most of those who are saying these things outside the Niger Delta are people who don't know the Niger Delta they come to protocol they go to you they go to worry and perhaps vinnicity on Yenegwa and they think that they have seen Niger Delta that's that's not the complete Niger Delta go to a Keremo go to Kolaama go to Kola go to go to Ibeno that was mobile and and look at the roads what has the federal government done what what is the extent of contribution but by the IOCs so we are asking that if we give the Niger Delta region as 50% as the west and the north and east used to have development will be fine and we will have a better living for our people okay but you know if it's like there seem to be some contradiction because the argument is that one of the argument is that the resources or the resources is not sufficient these funds are inadequate 13% is inadequate to address address issues that you know the region is faced with and so on the other hand you're saying you know you already have development and there are a lot of infrastructure so on which site should we now stay there is no contradiction the development aspect is to answer the question and devolve the claim the financials claim that there is nothing done with the 13% to be receiving for some years now that's not true there are changes the changes are not enough because the resources are not enough but the demand for 50% is beyond the resources not been enough we are saying do what you used to do for others there should be no discrimination there should be no biases when it was cocoa in the west when it was granite in the north when it was palm oil and coal in the east it was 50% that's what it used to be we are saying let's revert back to that that's the that's the cross of demand the other issues are secondary and let me emphasize that there is no true Niger Delta no well meaning no well informed Niger Delta that is without political and personal biases or prejudice against any of these political officials that will say that 50% demand is out of place because he or she thinks 13% has not been used appropriately to his satisfaction or to our satisfaction the Niger Delta people are saying enough of this this this kind of very sharp treatment and not for the disregard we we we will not accept anything less than 50% going forward okay so but you also mentioned the issue of restructuring and it brings to mind why pandev is asking for a 50% increase why not ask for resource control so why are you asking that you have a 50% increase instead of asking for resource control that allows you to control your resources true reputious we are not greedy self-centered people we are very generous people and we have demonstrated good will to the Nigerian state for all these years even before independence we have been very accommodating we are very loving people and it is in that spirit and in the letters of the constitutions of 1963 and 1963 and it is in that spirit that we are saying we fight back to 50% what you sucked in asking for 100% and then we are not we are not very greedy people we are not self-centered we love this country we want Nigeria to progress we want Nigeria to be united we want a peaceful and progressive Nigeria and and that's why we are saying look this is what you used to do let us go back to the standards where so are you saying that pandev is not in support of true fiscal federalism our we have submitted papers on our devolution of powers and and and we have asked for for for resource control to the extent that that this is the demand that states and states should control their resources and pay some some amount of money to go to the center as compromise to the Nigerian state Niger Delta people are saying let us have 50% of our resources and then let us put 50% with this this this report okay so let's move away from that now in the communique that was signed some of the consents that the two made or some of the point that was raised is the fact that you said the Niger Delta people are ready and mobilized to dispense full resistance against this wicked mechanization if i'm correct and any future attempt to further economically take away the region and its people from what they actually deserve and this is me paraphrasing what do you mean what does that really mean because when you say full resistance it feels like you know some sort of force can you please show more light and that is that is the wicked and satanic attempt to deprive the Niger Delta people of even the little that we are getting for whatever reason one cannot fathom why 59 members of the House of Representatives from a section of the country will move to delete section subsection 2 section 162 of the 1999 constitution as amended that act is a call to an act and so it's a message to those dishonorable 59 members of the House of Representatives and to their backers whoever they are that the Niger Delta people can no longer be taken for granted and that we are ready to resist them with with every fiber in our faith so what approach is a pandev going to take to ensure that their demands are being met what are the approach that you have put out and prior to this time what efforts have you made as you know a body to ensure that you know government actually needs and those who are responsible or stakeholders pay attention to your request it is it is sad that the only language in Nigerian states as as it appears this seems to is the is the language of violence is the sad everything the Niger Delta has gotten from the Nigerian state has been through one form of resistance or the other and and we can go back to the days of even before independence to the days of adakaburu and and down to kensarua and until 20s 2016 the niger delta versions and and mend and all that the history is is is is sad history and and it's unfortunate that a country of responsible people will treat a very special as a vision of the country in this manner and so the message we are sending to the rest of nigeria is that look if you are taking us for granted for too long and this acts this attempt to delete section subsection two section 162 of the constitution is an affront and a complete satanic attempt to tell the niger delta people that you can do your worst and we are saying to them if he gets to that level perhaps the niger delta people will do their worst and i say this as a very responsible citizen of the federal republic of Nigeria that is committed to the fundamental rights and welling of his people the niger delta people okay so just as we begin to cost it down now what would be your if you have the opportunity now to speak to those who are responsible what would be your request right now what do you would you be saying to them as we cost this conversation down let us we're speaking to mr president and and in the next couple of days pandef and leaders stakeholders in the niger delta will be reached out to various power points and and speak to the people to to talk to their people that look is this let us not talk the ambass of for us to the ambass of this discord and this unity and disarmament in the country there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed by the presidency and the national assembly and not to attack to begin to cause more people to get revoked and so we are saying please be reasonable be sensitive and and do the things that are right let us move the unless we don't want uh nigeria to progress or less we don't want nigeria to to to exist or less we don't want nigeria to be peaceful and and we are saying that those men who who sponsor that deal and they're backers are in fact terrorists because they don't want peace in nigeria all right thank you so much uh ken robinson for being part of the conversation this morning we do wish you the very best with your quest in asking for 50 percent increase in derivation from 13 percent thank you so much thank you uh go five times once again and thank you so much for this opportunity god bless you well that's so much that we can take at this point in time we'll definitely step on the brakes and when we return uh you know more conversations will come through right here please stick around good morning