Indigenous Contractors Storm Nigerian Finance Ministry, Demand Release Of N760Billion First Tranche For Completed Projects
Indigenous Contractors Storm Nigerian Finance Ministry, Demand Release Of N760Billion First Tranche For Completed Projects
According to Nwosu, the minister pledged to release N760 billion out of the N4 trillion he reportedly said the Federal Government owed contractors across the country, but has since failed to fulfil the promise.
The All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) on Tuesday stormed the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, accusing the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, of failing to honour his promise to release N760 billion as the first tranche of payment owed to local contractors.
AICAN President, Jackson Nwosu, represented by the association’s Secretary-General, Babatunde Oyeniyi, told journalists during the protest that Edun had repeatedly assured them that the payment would be made after the association suspended its earlier protest on November 6 following the intervention of Senate spokesperson, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu.
According to Nwosu, the minister pledged to release N760 billion out of the N4 trillion he reportedly said the Federal Government owed contractors across the country, but has since failed to fulfil the promise.
“After our protest on November 6, which we suspended because of the Senate’s intervention, we have been in dialogue with the Minister of Finance on how he is going to pay us.
“But unfortunately, he has failed to honour his promise. He keeps saying he will pay, but nothing is forthcoming. That is why we are here protesting again,” he said.
He alleged that the ministry was considering merging their long-awaited payment with other outstanding obligations and postponing disbursement until 2026.
The contractors rejected the move.
“Our next line of action is what we are doing now. We will not leave these premises. We will continue every day until we are paid,” Nwosu vowed.
AICAN Vice President, Fredrick Agada, expressed disappointment that Edun had not honoured the commitments made during previous meetings with the association.
“He asked us to compile a list of our members entitled to the payment, which we submitted in hard copy.
“Unfortunately, he later asked us to interface with stakeholders. We asked who these stakeholders are, but he has refused to answer us,” Agada said.
Similarly, a member of the association’s Media and Publicity Committee, Innocent Asuelimen, said the contractors had invested hundreds of billions of naira in projects the government had since taken credit for, yet payment remained stalled.
“All we want is for our money to be released. The first phase of the project was funded 100 per cent, and the government has showcased it to Nigerians.
“We have lost members and veterans. Interest is running every day. Government should pay our money,” he said.
Deputy National President (North Central), Alhaji Abdullahi Yamani, also demanded immediate payment, warning that the lingering delays were worsening the plight of indigenous contractors.
