33-Month Houseboat Rent Dispute: Court Gives Army, Contractors Fresh Settlement Window
By Wilson Macaulay
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has given the Nigerian Army and three indigenous houseboat contractors a fresh opportunity to settle a dispute over alleged non-payment of rental fees amounting to 33 months.
Justice Stephen Daylop Pam fixed October 22, 2026, to receive a report from the parties on the outcome of their settlement efforts in the suit instituted by Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited
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The plaintiffs are suing the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, among others.
The contractors, who provide houseboats for operations in the Niger Delta, are asking the court to compel the defendants to pay outstanding rents allegedly accumulated over 33 months and release their vessels for maintenance.
At Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Reuben Wanogho, informed the court that the Commander, JTF Operation Delta Safe, had requested a proposal towards an amicable settlement of the dispute.
Wanogho consequently urged the court to allow the parties time to explore the settlement option, saying the move could resolve the matter without further litigation.
Justice Pam subsequently adjourned the case until October 22 for the parties to report back to the court on the outcome of the proposed settlement.
However, counsel to the first defendant, I.K. Diri, told the court that he was not aware of the settlement proposal.
The latest development came against the backdrop of growing hardship among workers of the affected companies, some of whom recently protested in Port Harcourt over the financial difficulties allegedly caused by the prolonged non-payment.
The workers said the situation had disrupted their livelihoods, with some allegedly owed salaries and struggling to meet family obligations.
They appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevail on the relevant authorities to settle the outstanding obligations.
The workers and contractors said such intervention would help protect the indigenous businesses, secure jobs and enable the contractors to recover and maintain their boats.
The contractors also appealed to the federal government to facilitate payment of the outstanding obligations and release their vessels.
They expressed hope that the October 22 settlement process would finally bring the more than two-year-old dispute to an end, allowing them to recover their boats, undertake necessary maintenance and resume normal operations.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 16, 2026
