Olugboboro Community Demands Contractor’s Return, Accuses Oando of Halting Reclamation Project
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**Olugboboro Community Protests Oando’s Suspension of Crucial Land Reclamation Project**
**By Special Correspondent**
Residents of the Olugboboro community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed strong disapproval of Oando Plc’s decision to halt their highly anticipated land reclamation project, demanding the immediate return of the contractor to the site.
In a formal petition addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the SILGA 1 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), community leaders strongly criticized the suspension. They alleged that Oando officials ordered the contracting firm, OGBODAWEI Nigeria Ltd., to cease operations under the claim that the reclamation initiative was “not viable.”
The community expressed shock at the sudden directive, pointing out that the project had successfully cleared all rigorous regulatory and approval phases prior to the contract being awarded. According to the petition, the reclamation project was identified as the community’s highest priority during successive needs assessments conducted under the former Agip administration and subsequently under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) framework.
The contract was officially awarded in May 2026 following an open, competitive bidding process. The contractor mobilized to the site on June 17 and had already completed the first phase of excavation before receiving the order to stop work.
Community representatives emphasized that the project is not a simple sand-filling exercise, but rather a vital environmental restoration initiative designed to combat persistent flooding, reclaim lost land, and clear space for critical infrastructure and economic development. They argued that the project directly aligns with the core mandates of the PIA, which seeks to foster sustainable development in host communities.
The petitioners noted that the sudden suspension has devastated local residents who viewed the project as a transformative legacy initiative. Furthermore, they pointed out that no other contractors working on projects within the SILGA 1 host communities have faced similar work-stop orders, raising concerns of unfair treatment and the marginalization of Olugboboro’s development goals.
The community has urged the Board of Trustees to intervene immediately by directing Oando Plc to reverse its decision and allow the contractor to resume work without delay. Copies of the petition have been forwarded to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oando Plc, and other key industry stakeholders.
