900m Debt: Protesting Anambra Streetlight Diesel Contractors Clash With Govt House Security

By Our Correspondent

There was tension at the Anambra State Government House, popularly known as the Light House, yesterday when protesting streetlight diesel supply contractors clashed with security operatives over an alleged unpaid debt of N900 million.

The contractors, who said they supplied diesel for powering streetlights across the state, marched in the rain from the Ekwueme Square end of the Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard to the Government House, demanding to be paid for services rendered since April and May 2022—shortly after the inauguration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the aggrieved contractors accused the government of abandoning them despite being “super APGA stakeholders” who supported and campaigned for the administration.

On reaching the Light House gate, security personnel reportedly attempted to disperse the protesters and ordered them to stand in the rain. This action infuriated the contractors, who described it as inhumane treatment from a government they helped install.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Nnaemeka Oraka said 70 contractors were owed a cumulative sum of N900 million for diesel supplied two years ago. He noted that although they had earlier visited the Government House about a month ago and were received by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, no payment had been made since then.

“Mr. Ezeajughi promised us that the government would verify our claims and get back to us. Since then, we haven’t heard anything. Yet, we know the governor has been made aware of our plight,” Oraka said.

He further lamented that nine of their colleagues had died while awaiting payment, and that some contractors were selectively paid, leaving the majority without relief.

“We worked very hard to install this governor. We are super APGA stakeholders. This is our government,” he stressed.
“We’re not against his re-election—we’ll still work for him. But our banks are on our necks over loans we took to fund the diesel supplies. Some companies have shut down over this.”

After hours of waiting without any official response, the group dispersed with a vow to return.

“From now on, we will be coming here weekly to protest until we are paid. We can no longer continue to die in silence,” Oraka told journalists.