Houseboat workers in the Niger Delta have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in a 34-month salary crisis, saying prolonged non-payment has plunged their families into hardship and disrupted their children’s education.
The workers made the appeal on Monday during a protest at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where a legal dispute involving three indigenous houseboat contractors and outstanding payments allegedly owed by the Nigerian Army came up for hearing.
Carrying placards, the protesters accused military authorities of failing to pay for houseboat rental services despite the continued use of the facilities to support military operations in the Niger Delta.
They also urged the National Assembly to intervene and prevail on the relevant authorities to settle the outstanding debts.
Some of their placards read: “Mr President hear our cry, pay our contractors”; “Our families are hungry, our children are suffering. Pay us our monies”; and “Pay us for our 34 months houseboat supply services.”
Other inscriptions included: “Houseboat contractors are not slaves”; “Our sweat, our labour, our right”; and “Enough is enough. Army is on our boat, but refused to pay for the services.”
Workers Lament Hunger, Children’s Education Crisis
Speaking during the protest, some of the workers described their situation as unbearable, saying the prolonged delay had deprived them of their livelihoods.
One of the protesters said: “They should pay us our money. We’re hungry. Our boats have dilapidated. Our source of revenue, our source of income, our source of family savers.”
Another worker lamented that the unpaid salaries had made it difficult for families to meet their basic needs, particularly with Christmas approaching.
“Our families need to eat. December is coming up. Christmas is coming up. For 34 months, we have not received our salary,” the protester said.
A third worker said the situation had affected their children’s education.
“We are hungry for 34 months; we can’t take care of our homes because the salary is not there. Our children no longer go to school,” the worker lamented.
Contractors Take Nigerian Army to Court
The legal action was instituted by Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited against the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe.
The contractors are asking the court to compel the defendants to settle outstanding debts arising from houseboat rental services provided to support military operations.
At Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiffs, Reuben Wanogho, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of a preliminary objection.
However, only counsel representing the first defendant was present when the case was mentioned.
Justice Stephen Daylop Pam subsequently adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection until November 18.
Unpaid Debts Raise Concerns Over Niger Delta Operations
Beyond the financial dispute, the crisis has raised concerns about the sustainability of services supporting security operations in the Niger Delta.
Houseboats provide accommodation and logistical support for troops deployed to the creeks, making indigenous contractors an important part of the operational support system.
The workers fear that continued failure to settle outstanding payments could undermine the ability of local contractors to sustain these services.
The protesters are therefore seeking President Tinubu’s intervention to ensure that the outstanding payments are settled and their livelihoods restored.
The workers’ appeal comes amid an ongoing court dispute over alleged unpaid obligations for houseboat rental services.
