Houseboat workers in Port Harcourt staged a protest on Monday outside the Federal High Court, demanding payment for 34 months of unpaid salaries that they say stem from the Nigerian Army’s failure to compensate boat owners and contractors.
The demonstration took place on the same day a preliminary objection hearing was scheduled for a suit filed by three indigenous houseboat contractors. Protesters carried placards that read, among others, “National Assembly intervene now! Houseboat contractors are not slaves”, “Mr President hear our cry, pay our contractors”, and “Our families are hungry, our children are suffering. Pay us our monies.”
Justice Stephen Daylop Pam set the hearing for 18 November. The plaintiffs – Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited – are 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. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr Reuben Wanogho, informed the court that the matter was for preliminary objection; only counsel for the first defendant was present.
“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 protester said.
“Our families need to eat. December is coming up. Christmas is coming up. For 34 months, we have not received our salary,” another protester added.
Beyond the financial dispute, stakeholders argue that the case poses a critical threat to the nation’s fight against oil theft, as houseboats provide accommodation and logistical support for troops deployed to the creeks of the Niger Delta.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
