By Jimitota Onoyume, Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

PORT-HARCOURT—A Federal High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, has adjourned to October 10, 2016, the hearing in the suit by Houseboat Owner’s Coalition, seeking an order for the payment of N3 billion in respect of their houseboats hired by the Ministry of Defence.

Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali

Trial judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, said the matter was being adjourned for further hearing.

Speaking with newsmen on the development, spokesman of the coalition, Engr. Otomewo Eberiere, explained that the houseboats were hired by the Ministry of Defense and handed over to the Joint Task Force, JTF for the surveillance and protection of oil installations in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

Lamenting the alleged unwillingness of the Defense Headquarters to clear the outstanding debt, he said the JTF had also refused to hand over to their owners, the houseboats which he said were presently in a dilapidated state.

“In as much as we acknowledge the enormous task and challenge the JTF is facing, especially at this time in our great country, we are in court against Defense Headquarters in respect to this matter, which has suffered series of adjournments.

“It is pertinent to note that this debt has cost the families of those who are directly involved a lot. The houseboats owners are losing greatly ranging from deaths as a result of unbearable indebtedness to banks/financial institutions with accumulated interest due to default and the inability to take care of family responsibilities, while children are out of school to mention but a few. The list of our woes is endless,” he said.

He, however, said that N1.4 billion was paid last year, adding that “the outstanding balance is N1.7 billion as at today.”