Contractors Protest Over Unpaid Contracts in Delta State

Contractors working under the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum have staged a protest, demanding payment for executed contracts and the revision of existing agreements to reflect the current inflationary pressures.

The protest, which was initially set for January 24, 2025, was delayed after the Department of State Services (DSS) intervened, urging a meeting between the contractors and the management of DESOPADEC. However, despite this intervention, the contractors were left frustrated after the management failed to act on the DSS’s directive, prompting them to gather at the commission’s headquarters on Warri-Sapele Road at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

Carrying placards with messages such as “We Don’t Want Trouble, We Need Our Money” and “DESOPADEC Management Feeding Fat, Leaving Contractors Hungry,” the protesters voiced their concerns over long-overdue payments. A coffin was also placed at the entrance of the commission to symbolize the deadlock in negotiations and the contractors’ growing frustration.

In an address to the protesters, the Chairman of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Ogie Samson, expressed that the contractors had never experienced such treatment from the agency. He stated that despite multiple attempts to meet with the board to resolve payment issues and address contract variations, the management had shown little willingness to engage in meaningful discussions.

“We’ve never had it so bad,” Ogie said, adding that the contractors had resorted to the protest after all peaceful attempts had failed.

The Forum’s Secretary, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, also condemned the management’s stance, noting that contractors were being unfairly labeled as political agitators. The contractors are calling for the intervention of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to resolve the issue. The ongoing crisis reflects the growing tension between the local contractors and DESOPADEC, as many contractors have struggled with unpaid dues amid rising inflation and escalating costs of living.