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Shock As Concern Local Contractors Protest in Abuja Over Non-payment
A group of contractors under the aegis of Concerned Local Contractors have staged a peaceful protest in Abuja where they are accusing the federal government of failure to settle outstanding payments for projects they executed since the beginning of the year, ABUJAPRESS reports.
The contractors, who protested at the headquarters of the federal ministry of finance in Abuja on Monday, expressed frustration over the government’s prolonged indebtedness, which they said is inflicting severe economic hardship on them and their families.
They carried placards bearing various inscriptions, including "We delivered our projects, now pay us money", "central payment system by OAGF and FMF has failed woefully. Revert back to the former system" and others claimed that delays in payment could force contractors into desperation, given the country’s current security and economic challenges.
The contractors allege that none of their members has been paid since January 2025 till date, a situation they said has brought about hardship to them.
They further alleged that payment selections in Office of Accountant General (OAGF) makes it even worse, urging that Ministry of Finance should be allowed to process payment.
The spokesperson for the aggrieved contractors appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the contractors are paid without further delay.
He claimed that 2025 budget implementation stands at just 35% as contractors are yet to be paid after delivering their jobs.
“We’re calling on Mr President to please help us talk to these people to pay us our money. It has been too long, for about six months now and still counting, and we have been expecting payments,” he sai