Labourers, suppliers protest against firm over alleged debt

Some labourers and suppliers yesterday protested alleged non-payment by a Chinese construction firm handling the road project at the newly completed ECOWAS Headquarters along the Airport Road, Abuja. The protesters, who gathered at the site, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Pay us our money,” “Don’t kill our business,” and “Pay for materials supplied.” They […]

Some labourers and suppliers yesterday protested alleged non-payment by a Chinese construction firm handling the road project at the newly completed ECOWAS Headquarters along the Airport Road, Abuja.

The protesters, who gathered at the site, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Pay us our money,” “Don’t kill our business,” and “Pay for materials supplied.”

They accused the project manager of Ming Dao and Qi Hai of allegedly failing to settle outstanding payments for materials and labour supplied during the execution of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the suppliers, Solomon Iliya alleged they provided materials including iron rods, cement and tiles worth over N1.2 billion, but have received only about 40 per cent of the total sum.

“We have made several efforts to reach the project manager to pay our balance, but for almost four months now, it has been one excuse after another,” he said.

On their part, the labourers, represented by Abiodu Maxwell, said they have not been paid since December 2025.

Reacting, the project manager of Ming Dao and Qi Hai, Mr Yao Jinglin, admitted that the company owed some suppliers and labourers that have been working with the company.

He said the company has been able to pay 44 percent of the money it owed the five suppliers that had supplied materials during the outdoor constructions and constructions within the ECOWAS headquarters. 

He attributed the delay in payments to some challenges but assured that they would be paid before the end of the month.

He said he has already made an arrangement to meet with representatives of the suppliers and two leaders of the labourers to discuss the matter.