A coalition of aggrieved contractors under the banner of Concerned Local Contractors staged a peaceful protest in Abuja on Monday, decrying the Federal Government’s prolonged failure to pay for projects executed since January 2025.
The protest, which took place at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters, highlighted the growing financial hardship faced by local contractors across the country due to delayed government payments.
“We Delivered Projects, Pay Us Our Money” — Contractors Cry Out
- The protesters carried placards with bold messages such as:
- “We delivered our projects, now pay us money.”
- “Central payment system by OAGF and FMF has failed woefully. Revert back to the former system.”
They accused the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) of mismanaging the new central payment system, which they say has led to months of unpaid bills and widespread suffering among contractors and their families.
Six Months Without Payment, 35% Budget Implementation
Desmond Ibe, spokesperson for the group, revealed that none of their members had received payments since January 2025, despite successfully executing government contracts.
“It has been too long—about six months now and still counting—and we have been expecting payments,” Ibe stated.
He argued that the delay has negatively affected the 2025 national budget implementation, which he claimed currently stands at just 35%, due to the government’s failure to disburse funds to contractors.
Contractors Appeal to President Tinubu for Immediate Action
The group is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step in and address the issue.
HEED: Follow us on Instagram or any other social media platform and get the most reliable news directly in your favourite app!
- “We urge the President to urgently intervene so our money can be paid,” Ibe said.
- “We are also appealing to the President to grant the Ministry of Finance more autonomy to process payments faster, instead of relying on the slow and ineffective central payment system.”
With economic and security challenges worsening across the country, the contractors warned that continued government inaction could drive many of them into desperation and bankruptcy.
Stay with Naija Blog Daily for updates on this developing story.
NaijaBlogDaily# is visible on all social media platforms, and we bring you the latest Nigerian news on politics and economy, entertainment, and celebrity updates, including sports across Nigeria and beyond…
Keep visiting and following up with us on any social media platform you are using to keep you updated 💯
Remember (information brings knowledge and power).
STAY TUNED!!!
