Contractors protest at finance ministry over unpaid jobs
Members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Wednesday staged a protest in Abuja over the non-payment of contracts executed for the federal government. The aggrieved contractors blocked the main entrance of the Ministry of Finance during official hours, preventing staff from accessing the building and their offices. The protest also disrupted the movement […]
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun
Members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Wednesday staged a protest in Abuja over the non-payment of contracts executed for the federal government.
The aggrieved contractors blocked the main entrance of the Ministry of Finance during official hours, preventing staff from accessing the building and their offices.
The protest also disrupted the movement of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, whose convoy was denied entry at the main gate. The minister was forced to use an alternative route to gain access to his office.
Carrying placards, the contractors condemned the prolonged delay in payments and accused the government of neglecting its obligations.
Shortly after the minister entered the premises through the alternative gate, the contractors demanded that he come out and address them directly. They rejected an attempt by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to speak on his behalf, insisting that only the minister could respond to their grievances.
It was gathered that the contractors are demanding immediate payment for projects completed since 2024, many of which remain outstanding despite repeated appeals.
Daily Trust recalls that in August, Minister Edun had announced that going forward, no government agency would be allowed to award contracts without cash backing and approval from the ministry – a move aimed at curbing the accumulation of unpaid contract debts.