Unpaid Contracts: Over 5,000 aggrieved contractors plan to occupy Abuja

“…we’re suffering, dying”

…appeal to Tinubu, NASS for intervention 

More than 5,000 frustrated local contractors, under the group Concerned Contractors Owed by the Federal Government of Nigeria 2024 Capital Projects, have threatened to occupy Abuja over unpaid funds for completed government contracts.

This announcement was made in a press statement signed by the group’s Convener, Jackson Nwosu; Secretary, RQS. MIQS. Babatunde Seun; Engr (Dr) Peter Adhekugu; Mr Chidi Kanu; and Mr O Fredrick Agada. The statement was read by Jackson Nwosu during a press conference in Abuja.

Nwosu explained that many men and women worked hard across the country to deliver the 2024 capital projects, all under the leadership and direction of the current government.

He said all project obligations had been met and the work completed. “Yet, for over Nine months now, our invoices remain unpaid.”

Appealing to President Bola Tinubu and other leaders, Nwosu urged them to consider the serious hardship local contractors are facing, with many losing hope.

During the conference, the contractors observed a minute of silence in honour of those who died while waiting for payments for jobs they had already finished. They also called on the Senate and House of Representatives appropriation committees to investigate why they have not been paid.

Describing the situation as cruel, he said: “Contractors are drowning in debt, some have committed suicide, some have had their assets seized, families are suffering, employees remain unpaid, health challenges go unattended.”

He continued: “We are appealing for justice—justice in the form of timely payment for work already done.”

“We have heard so much rhetorics of payments by office of the Accountant General of Federation, Federal ministry of Finance (OAGF/FMF) but no corresponding action to justify this.”

“We ask not only for payment—but for the restoration of our credibility before financial institutions, before our families, and before our communities who look unto us as examples of diligence and patriotism.”

“Your Excellency, distinguished leaders, the strength of any government lies in its ability to honour its commitments. We trusted the system ab-initio but the system is gradually failing us.”

“The Renewed Hope Agenda promised by our beloved President is gradually eluding us. We appeal to Mr. President to urgently intervene, believing he has good listening ear.”

He also reminded the government of its legal obligations: “The Public Procurement Act, (2007) specifically Section 5(b), mandates that all procurement activities must be based on procurement plans supported by prior budgetary appropriations.”

“This means that a government entity cannot formalize a contract unless it has ensured that funds are budgeted and appropriated to cover the obligations arising from that contract but so far, the reverse is the case.”

Finally, he issued a warning: “Failure to carry out the aforementioned, we will be left with no option than to mobilize over Five Thousand (5,000) contractors to hit the streets of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to further press home our demands.”