A civil society organization, the Coalition for Equity in Resource Justice (CERJ), has issued a stern one-week ultimatum to Oando Plc, urging the oil giant to pay over ₦8 billion allegedly owed to indigenous contractors in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Tari Efemena, CERJ accused Oando Plc of deliberately stalling payments to contractors whose work, it said, was crucial to sustaining oil operations in host communities.
“For too long, oil companies have reaped massive profits from Niger Delta lands and waters, while leaving indigenous partners and local contractors in economic limbo,” Efemena said. “We are not pleading. We are demanding justice.”
The group described the outstanding sum as contractual obligations and compensation long overdue to community-based service providers who, despite contributing to oil logistics and infrastructure, continue to face hardship, delays, and neglect.
“This ₦8 billion isn’t charity. It’s a legal and moral debt. Oando must lead by example in honouring agreements, not sidestepping them,” the statement added.
Threat of Peaceful Protests
CERJ warned that if Oando fails to respond within seven days, the organization will mobilize peaceful protests and picketing at the company’s offices in Lagos, Abuja, and London.
“Any further delay will be interpreted as corporate sabotage and betrayal of host communities. The era of silence in the face of exploitation is over,” Efemena said.
Call for Regulatory Intervention
The group also called on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to investigate the matter and compel compliance, stressing that delays in fulfilling contractual obligations undermine trust and stability in oil-producing communities.
“This is no longer just about money; it is about dignity, equity, and accountability in the oil sector. The government must not watch idly,” CERJ stated.
Broader Implications for Oil Industry Relations
The group’s outcry comes amid renewed concerns about transparency and fairness in oil sector dealings with host communities. Analysts say this growing friction could impact broader stakeholder relations in Nigeria’s oil-rich but long-neglected Niger Delta.
As of press time, Oando Plc has yet to issue a response.