From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has disbursed ₦152 billion to local contractors for verified contracts, in a move aimed at easing mounting tensions over unpaid obligations and addressing recent protests in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) said the payments followed rigorous verification procedures in line with extant laws and financial regulations to ensure transparency, accountability and protection of public funds.
“This is to confirm that FMF has paid ₦152 billion to contractors for verified contracts. The process of payment for contracts goes through various verification processes to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure accountability and transparency,” the ministry said.
The ministry acknowledged the financial strain that payment delays have imposed on contractors and appealed for sustained dialogue and constructive engagement to resolve outstanding issues.
“While we recognise the hardship this situation has caused contractors, we plead for continuous dialogue and engagement for effective resolution of all conflicts”, the statement added.
FMF also urged contractors to respect due process and ministry officials, noting that some personnel had faced intimidation and harassment in the course of their duties.
The development comes amid recent protests by indigenous contractors in Abuja over alleged unpaid debts running into trillions of naira for completed government projects. The Federal Government said it remains committed to settling verified obligations and restoring confidence in the contracting process.
The ministry further assured contractors that all outstanding payment requests would continue to be processed in a timely and consistent manner in line with due process.
