Boat Contractors In The Niger Delta Angry With Military
OpenLife News reports that the war against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta is facing an unlikely setback from a massive backlog of unpaid rent for houseboats deployed to combat maritime crimes.
The Nigerian Army and three indigenous houseboat contractors are locked in a legal battle at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over 33 months of allegedly unpaid rental services, a development now seen as a threat to the nation’s fight against oil theft.
The suit was instituted by Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited, seeking to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, to settle outstanding debts.
But stakeholders say the collateral damage goes beyond breach of contract.A security expert, Mr. Owunari Otozi, told Niger Delta Voice that the houseboats are not luxury items but floating operational bases for military personnel securing the creeks and waterways from oil thieves who have crippled the nation’s oil production.
He warned that with contractors now demanding release of their boats for overdue maintenance and threatening to withdraw services, the military’s capacity to patrol the vast and treacherous terrain is being severely compromised.
The plaintiffs allege that non-payment accumulated over 33 months while their boats were deployed in active military operations.
The financial strain has crippled workers of the affected companies who recently protested over unpaid salaries and mounting family responsibilities.“If the houseboats are not released for maintenance, or if contractors are forced to halt services due to lack of funds, the JTF’s operational reach will be drastically reduced,” Otozi warned.
“This creates a power vacuum that illegal bunkerers are all too ready to exploit. The war on oil theft is fought not just with rifles and intelligence, but with logistics. A grounded boat means a grounded surveillance team, an unpatrolled pipeline and a free pass for economic saboteurs.”
During proceedings on Monday, Justice Stephen Pam adjourned the matter till October 22, 2026, to allow for amicable settlement.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Reuben Wanogho, informed the court that the Commander of JTF, Operation Delta Safe, had requested a proposal for settlement, a sign that the military recognizes the operational risk.
Counsel to the first defendant, I.K. Diri, however claimed ignorance of the proposed settlement.The contractors and their workers have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that resolving the dispute is not just about easing financial pressure on indigenous businesses but about safeguarding national oil infrastructure.
They hope the October 22 settlement report will mark a turning point to enable them recover their boats, carry out maintenance and return them to service.
But until the bills are paid and the boats are back in the water, the war against oil thieves in the Niger Delta remains dangerously short of its most vital assets.
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