NIGERIA: Contractors Storm Finance Ministry Over Debt

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Concerned Federal Government contractors on Wednesday stormed the Ministry of Finance in Abuja in protest over alleged unpaid debts for completed projects.

The contractors, operating under the umbrella of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, carried placards and used a public address system to press their demands, chanting that they “missed the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The protest caused disruption at the ministry as staff were denied access to the premises, while the minister’s convoy was prevented from entering through the main gate. The minister later gained access via an alternative entrance.

Attempts by the permanent secretary to address the aggrieved contractors were rejected, with the group insisting that only the minister must come out to speak with them directly.

Speaking to journalists, an executive member of the association, Stanley, said the protest followed several failed promises by government officials despite repeated meetings with both the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He alleged that the government owes contractors about ₦4 trillion, with less than one per cent of the debt recently settled.

“The government has been turning us around since January. Only a few contractors were paid last week, while thousands of others remain unattended to,” he said.

The contractors vowed to continue pressing their demands until the outstanding payments are made, accusing the current administration of failing to honour agreements with indigenous contractors.