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By Amos Odhe
Elders and residents of Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have rejected an alleged directive by Oando PLC ordering the immediate suspension of the ongoing reclamation project in the area.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of SILGA 1 Host Communities Development Trust, the community said it was shocked by a verbal instruction allegedly passed through the contractor, Ogbodawei Nigeria Ltd, by the BOT Chairman, Mr. Profit Toyain, that unnamed officials of Oando PLC, the settlor, had directed that work should stop on the grounds that the sand-filling project was “not viable.”
The Elders led by Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo (Ikpesiwari), Chief Mathew Azeke, Akpokowari; Chief Ayibaini Oweifighe; Chief Layo Tarighebo; Mr. Napoleon Azeke (General Secretary) Mr. Timiundumene Usen, Youth President; and Andrew Vincent, BOT Member, traced the history of the project to need assessments conducted by Agip and later under the PIA framework.
According to them, the reclamation project was identified as the number one priority during GMOU consultations and was again ranked first when host communities were asked to submit projects under SILGA 1 HCDT.
They said, “A need assessment of Olugboboro community was carried out by the precursor to Oando PLC, Agip, years ago, wherein sand filling of the community’s back was identified as number one priority project.”
The community noted that after scoping and viability assessment by Oando and SILGA 1 HCDT officials, the project was approved. An open bidding process was conducted in May 2026 and the contract was awarded to Ogbodawei Nigeria Ltd. An award letter was issued on May 29, 2026, and the project site was formally handed over on June 11, 2026. Mobilization to site commenced on June 17, 2026, with excavation of soil already completed.
“We were sure that our forefathers were smiling and celebrating in their graves when the project began. Suddenly, the settlor decided to put a spanner in the works, dashing the hopes of the community,” the elders said.
They argued that the project was scaled down from 500m by 100m to 100m by 50m to fit available funds, yet remains a “strategic environmental restoration initiative” critical to addressing perennial flooding that has destroyed homes, farmlands and disrupted livelihoods in the riverine community since its founding.
“The Olugboboro Community Environmental Improvement (Reclamation) project is not merely a capital project but a catalyst for sustainable development. It improves drainage, reclaims land, reduces flood risks and creates an enabling environment for future physical and socio-economic development,” the community stated.
The elders further stated that the directive violates the PIA 2021, which mandates that host communities choose projects according to their needs, and also constitutes a breach of contract between SILGA 1 HCDT and the contractor.
They noted that no other contractor in the 21 host communities under SILGA 1 HCDT has been directed to stop work, and described the action as “an invitation to crisis” and evidence of “disdain” toward Olugboboro.
The community urged the BOT of SILGA 1 HCDT to intervene immediately and direct Oando PLC to rescind the stop-work order to allow the contractor to continue.
They said it remains committed to peaceful engagement but will not accept any attempt to truncate a project it considers vital to its survival and development.
“Olugboboro Community does not want any other project apart from the reclamation that has already commenced. This is our cherished and legacy project. The community’s future development plans largely depend on the successful execution of this project; making it an essential investment rather than option. Until this project is successfully completed, we will not accept any other project.
“The order to stop work for a job that has already commenced and progressing accordingly was conceived in bad taste; it offends common sense, sensibility of the people and ethos of corporate social responsibility, and intends to truncate the match of progress and the people quest to overcome their challenging environment. Indeed, the directive to terminate the project was part of a broader pattern to undo Olugboboro physical development.
“Based on this development, the community’s trust and integrity of the settlor has been severely compromised and shaken. The order to cancel the project is obviously, an invitation to crisis and a fragrant breach of the PIA Act 2021; which requires host communities to choose projects according to their needs.
“It is also clearly a breach of contract between SILGA 1 HCDT. and the contractor, (OGBODAWEI Nig Ltd). The community did not complain that contractor was having an issue or not performing. Why would Olugboboro Community case be different from others.
“We have it on record that the settlor has not directed any contractor to stop work in any of 21 host communities in SILGA. 1.HCDT. This again has brought into sharp focus the distain and levity the settlor has treated any matter concerning Olugboboro Community. We have been treated unfairly and urge you stop maltreatment of Olugboboro Community in the scheme of things and what rightly belongs to the community.
“In view of the above, we reject and condemn in strong terms the settlor directive ordering the contractor to stop work. The settlor is trying to draw back the hand of the clock; in effect retarding the anticipated physical development of the community on the successful execution of the project. We therefore, urge you to wade into the matter, direct Oando to order,” the letter reads.
