FG contractors launch fresh protest over N500bn debt

A file photo of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Credit: State House

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Local contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria returned to the Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, blocking both entrances as they pressed for the payment of what they described as long-overdue debts for completed government projects.

The protesters, led by the association’s National Secretary, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, accused the Federal Government of repeatedly shifting its position on the issue and failing to honour commitments made during earlier meetings with officials.

Speaking to journalists at the ministry’s entrance, Oyeniyi said the government’s failure to release funds after multiple assurances had forced contractors to resume protests. He said members of the association were owed more than N500bn for projects already completed and commissioned.

He explained that despite recent assurances from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, no payment had been made. “After the National Assembly intervened, they told us that they will sit the minister down over this matter.

And we immediately stopped the protest,” he said.

According to him, repeated follow-up meetings with the minister had produced no tangible progress. “They have not responded to our request,” he said. “In fact, more than six times we have come here. Last week, we were here throughout the night before the Minister of Finance came.”

He added that the contractors were puzzled by continued delays even after the minister reportedly stated that a portion of the funds was available. “Even from the last conversation we had, we even told him, OK, for now, you said you have up to N150bn to pay all indigenous contractors. We don’t know why it is causing delays.”

Oyeniyi said that although some payment warrants had been sighted, no funds had been released. “Specifically, when we collate, they are owing more than N500bn for all indigenous contractors. We only see warrants; there is no cash back.”

He accused officials of attempting to push the payments into the next fiscal year. “The problem is that they want to put us into a backlog. They want to shift us to 2026, that 2026 they are going to pay,” he alleged. “They will turn us into debt, and we don’t want that. We won’t leave here until we are paid.”

Contractors also claimed that Edun had referred them back to the National Assembly, which had earlier mediated in the dispute. The continued standoff left ministry staff and visitors stranded, as protesters blocked the two main gates.

Many of the demonstrators held placards that read, “Banks no longer have confidence in sponsoring government projects,” “Many contractors have lost their lives through suicide,” “Though we cannot have value for our money again, pay us what you’re owing us,” and “You are killing small businesses, pay what you owe.”

Others carried banners with inscriptions such as, “Concerned contractors owed by the federal government of Nigeria,” “It’s a crime against humanity for government not to pay contractors for about 360 days,” “Payment delays is fraud not just injustice,” “No payment to contractor, no peace,” and “Contractors deserve payment, not fake promises.” They also chanted songs, including, “Na our money we need o, we don’t need anything, Wale Edun pay us, Tinubu pay us.”

Tensions between the contractors and the government have escalated in recent months. In November, the House of Representatives suspended plenary for one week after contractors stormed the National Assembly Complex, accusing the government of failing to release funds budgeted for 2024 and 2025.

The finance ministry has yet to issue a formal statement on Tuesday’s protest, while its officials remained mute.

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