N-Delta pushing for 50% derivation, true federalism —Loyibo

June 21, 2017

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

YENAGOA—CO-ORDINATOR of Niger Delta Elders and Leaders Forum, NDELF, and member of the Niger Delta Dialogue Group, NDDG,  Chief Mike Loyibo, has said that the Niger Delta region was calling for an increase in derivation to 50 per cent and true federalism in the ongoing talks with the Presidency as a way of resolving the lingering crisis in the region.

Loyibo, in an interview in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that only a holistic approach, including the provision of needed infrastructure, would ensure sustainable peace and security in the region.

He stated that the restructuring of the country must be done in a manner that will give every section of the country the power to exploit and maximize its God-given resources.

Loyibo said: “In the Niger Delta, we want true federalism, we want the derivation to be increased to 50 per cent from the present 13 per cent and we also want infrastructure in the region to be upgraded, that is at the discussion that is ongoing. We are averse to cosmetic peace approach by the government. That is why we do not want cosmetic peace.”

“We insist on a holistic approach of solving the problem once and for all. By so doing, there will be peace, growth and development of the Niger Delta. We in the Niger Delta are particularly concerned about the environment because of the negative impact of oil exploitation.”

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