The protesting contractors in Port Harcourt on Wednesday
Contractors working with Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) have escalated protests over longstanding unpaid debts, voicing strong opposition to the company’s ongoing acquisition by Oando Plc.
On Wednesday, a group of indigenous contractors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, set up canopies and stationed a tanker at the entrance of NAOC’s facility.
They warned that unless their outstanding payments are settled promptly, they may shut down NAOC operations across the Niger Delta.
The protest highlights growing tension as contractors allege that NAOC owes millions of dollars for services rendered, with no clear timeline for settlement.
“I submitted a joint invoice back in February—my share alone is N15 million,” said one contractor who spoke with our reporter.
“I had to borrow money to take on the job, and it’s been locked down ever since. Since Oando stepped in, they’ve refused to pay contractors.”
He added that the debts are widespread, citing a colleague allegedly owed over N100 million since January. “We have families to feed. They must pay us.”
The dispute has drawn national attention, with the House of Representatives recently summoning NAOC to answer allegations of owing $80 million to indigenous contractor De Coon Services Ltd. NAOC’s failure to appear has sparked criticism from lawmakers.
As Oando Plc’s acquisition of NAOC progresses, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the debt crisis is resolved and whether the company can maintain stability in the Niger Delta’s vital oil sector.
