Two Port Harcourt based firms, ELC Oil and Gas Services and Chiefest Nigeria Limited have threatened to embark on protest over non-payment of over N1billion debt for contracts it executed years ago.
The firm said it regretted the negative impact the debt had caused its staff, some of whom had fallen sick while others are unable to adequately take care of their families as they have not been paid for close to one year.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, the chief executive officer and managing director of ELC Oil and Gas Services Limited, and MD of Chiefest, Mr. Chelsea Enebeli and Hon Jerry Mmanwoke, respectively, stated that the firms supplied fuel and other petroleum products to OANDO Plc in 2024 and have since not been paid.
Enebelli claimed that he supplied PMS and diesel to the company in 2024 after borrowing a huge sum of money from the banks and other financial institutions.
“OANDO had not thought it wise to pay the money. Banks and other financial institutions where we borrowed the money from have been on our neck.
“We owe banks so much money. The interest of that money since 2024 has accumulatively spiked the interest rate so high. Every kobo OANDO paid us is by installment and the banks will just take everything because of the money we borrowed and used to execute the jobs for OANDO.
“As we speak, things are so bad that we hardly take care of family needs. Members of staff have not been paid for more than seven months. Last year, I had to undergo an operation and my wife borrowed money for the surgery to safe my life. Yet, the company I supplied goods for has refused to pay me”, Enebeli lamented.
In a letter dated April 2, 2026 titled: “Request for immediate payment of outstanding invoices”, to the management of OANDO plc, ELC Oil and Gas demanded immediate settlement of the outstanding payment owed.
“But despite repeated reminders, this obligation was unmet.
“We request that the payment be made immediately without further delay. Should this not occur, we will instruct our lawyers to formally write to you to pursue this matter or I will be at your Port Harcourt base with my family, including my children and staff who are yet to be paid for six months.”
