Three Rivers State based firms specialising in the rental of houseboats for waterway operations have instituted a suit against the Nigerian Army at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, over alleged unpaid rents spanning 26 months and the seizure of their boats.
The plaintiffs Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Godsam Industrial Services Limited and Etucom Integrated Services Limited filed the suit before Justice D.S. Pam.
Joined as respondents in the matter are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe.
According to the plaintiffs, the unpaid rents accrued from houseboats hired by the army for various security operations in the Niger Delta waterways, particularly in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and related criminal activities.
They alleged that while the boats were deployed for the operations, they were later seized without settlement of outstanding rental obligations.
Through their counsel, Mbata Chiburoma, the firms are seeking an order compelling the respondents to pay the full outstanding rents and address issues arising from the alleged seizure of their assets.
Justice Pam adjourned the matter to April 15 for hearing of all pending applications.
Meanwhile, workers of the affected companies staged a peaceful protest to express frustration over the development. The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “Mr President, rescue us,” “Our boats are dilapidated due to lack of maintenance,” and “National Assembly intervene now, houseboat contractors are not slaves.”
The workers lamented that the prolonged non payment had resulted in salary arrears, leaving many staff members in financial distress.
They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure the release of the outstanding funds to their companies.
