Bayelsa Community Condemns Alleged Suspension of Reclamation Project by Oando
...Says Directive to Stop Work Is in Bad Taste
The people of Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed strong opposition to the alleged directive by officials of Oando Plc to halt the ongoing community reclamation project, describing the decision as unjustified and detrimental to the community’s development.
The community, through its elders and leaders, said they were shocked by the reported instruction ordering the contractor handling the project, OGBODAWEI Nigeria Limited, to immediately suspend work on the reclamation exercise.
In a petition addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the SILGA 1 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), the community leaders—including Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo (Ikpesiwari), Chief Mathew Azeke (Akpokowari), Chief Ayibaini Oweifighe, Chief Layo Tarighebo, General Secretary Mr. Napoleon Azeke, Youth President Mr. Timiundumene Usen, and BOT member Mr. Andrew Vincent—described the directive as “strange” and “ill-conceived.”
According to the petition, the contractor allegedly received a verbal instruction from the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Profit Toyain, informing him that unnamed officials of Oando Plc, the settlor, had directed that work be stopped on the grounds that the reclamation project was “not viable.”
The community argued that the project had successfully passed all required stages before work commenced. They explained that the reclamation project emerged as Olugboboro’s highest priority following several needs assessment exercises conducted over the years, first during the era of the former operator, Agip, and later under the Host Communities Development Trust established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
According to the community, the project underwent technical scoping, received all necessary approvals, and was awarded through an open competitive bidding process in May 2026. OGBODAWEI Nigeria Limited received its contract award on May 29, 2026, while the project site was officially handed over on June 11 before construction commenced on June 17.
The petition stated that the contractor had already completed the first phase of the project, including excavation works, before the alleged stop-work order was issued.
The community rejected the reported claim that land reclamation in a riverine environment is not viable, insisting that the project represents a long-term environmental restoration initiative designed to address decades of flooding, land loss, displacement, and underdevelopment.
According to the leaders, the reclamation project would improve drainage, reclaim usable land, reduce flood risks, create opportunities for infrastructure development, and stimulate future economic growth within the community.
They further argued that the project aligns with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which seeks to promote sustainable development, environmental protection, and socio-economic advancement in host communities.
The petition also alleged that while projects in other host communities under the SILGA 1 HCDT have either been completed or are nearing completion, Olugboboro’s project has faced repeated delays despite being identified as the community’s foremost developmental need.
The leaders maintained that the project had already been scaled down from its original scope of 500 metres by 100 metres to 100 metres by 50 metres to fit available funding, making the reported decision to halt construction even more difficult to understand.
Describing the project as the foundation of Olugboboro’s long-term development agenda, the community insisted that it would not accept any alternative project until the reclamation exercise is completed.
The petition described the alleged stop-work directive as “conceived in bad taste,” adding that it undermines the principles of corporate social responsibility and could erode the confidence of the host community in the Host Communities Development Trust framework.
The community further alleged that the decision contradicts the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act, which gives host communities the responsibility of determining their development priorities.
The leaders therefore called on the Board of Trustees of the SILGA 1 HCDT to urgently intervene and ensure that the reported directive is reversed, allowing the contractor to resume work on the reclamation project without further delay.
Oando Plc had not issued any public response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
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