A civil society organization, the Coalition for Equity in Resource Justice (CERJ), is demanding that Oando Plc, one of Nigeria’s foremost oil and gas companies, fulfill its financial obligations to Indigenous Contractors in the Niger Delta. According to CERJ, the company owes these contractors a total of ₦8 billion.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Tari Efemena, CERJ condemned what it described as Oando’s “deliberate delay and denial of justice” to local contractors who have long supported oil operations through the use of their land and waterways.
“For decades, oil companies have extracted wealth from the Niger Delta while neglecting their basic responsibilities to the people who make these operations possible,” the statement said. “Oando Plc must urgently settle the ₦8 billion owed to Indigenous Contractors. These are not just debts—they are long-standing obligations and unfulfilled commitments.”
CERJ criticized the pattern of broken promises by corporations operating in the region, highlighting that while profits soar, host communities continue to suffer from pollution, poverty, and neglect.
“We are not making a request—we are demanding justice,” the group emphasized. “The Niger Delta deserves more than words and token gestures. Oando must set an example by honoring its financial commitments. We refuse to stay silent while corporate interests thrive at the expense of our people’s dignity.”
The group also called on relevant regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to intervene and enforce compliance.
“This matter goes beyond financial compensation—it is about justice, dignity, and rebuilding trust in the system,” CERJ stated. “Further delay in payment will be viewed as economic sabotage and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.”
CERJ concluded with a warning: if Oando Plc fails to address the issue within one week, the organization will mobilize and stage peaceful demonstrations at the company’s offices in Lagos, Abuja, and London.