Niger Delta Houseboat Workers Protest 34 Months Of Unpaid Salaries

Aggrieved houseboat workers have protested at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over 34 months of unpaid salaries, allegedly arising from the failure of the Nigerian Army to settle payments owed to boat owners and contractors providing services in the Niger Delta.

The protest coincided with the hearing of a suit filed by three indigenous houseboat contractors seeking to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, to settle outstanding debts for boat rental services.

The companies, Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited, instituted the suit over the alleged non-payment.

Justice Stephen Daylop Pam adjourned the matter until November 18, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objection.

The protesters, who carried placards, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene and compel the military authorities to pay the outstanding entitlements.

Some of the inscriptions on their placards read, “National Assembly intervene now! Houseboat contractors are not slaves”, “Mr. President hear our cry, pay our contractors”, “Our families are hungry, our children are suffering. Pay us our monies”, and “We believed in the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. Save our soul – 34 months unpaid.”

Others read, “DHQ injustice to Niger Delta contractors”, “Pay us for our 34 months houseboat supply services”, “Our sweat, our labour, our right”,  and “Enough is enough. Army is on our boat, but refused to pay for the services.”

Speaking during the protest, some workers said the prolonged non-payment had left them unable to feed their families and pay their children’s school fees.

“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,” one of the protesters said.

Another lamented that the unpaid salaries had made it difficult for workers to provide for their families as the Christmas season approaches.

“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.

Another worker said the situation had affected the education of their children.

“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 protester lamented.

When the matter came up on Monday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Reuben Wanogho, informed the court that it was scheduled for hearing of a preliminary objection.

Only counsel to the first defendant was present when the matter was mentioned, after which the judge adjourned proceedings until November 18.

Beyond the financial dispute, stakeholders have warned that the alleged non-payment could undermine efforts to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta, as houseboats provide accommodation and logistical support for troops deployed to the region’s creeks.