The House of Representatives has suspended plenary for one week following a massive protest by local contractors who barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, over alleged non-payment for projects executed since 2024.
Naijaonpoint reports that the protest, which caused heavy gridlock and disrupted legislative activities, prompted lawmakers to adjourn all sittings until next Tuesday to allow the leadership of the House to engage the executive arm of government and ensure that contractors receive their long-overdue payments.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), who expressed concern over what he called the “dire plight” of the contractors.
“You recall that our local contractors, our brothers and sisters, besieged the National Assembly today, protesting that they have not been paid for jobs completed under the 2024 budget,” Chinda said.
“This non-payment has caused untold hardship to our people, and it is our duty as a Parliament to take a stand.”
Chinda noted that the contractors’ demonstration stemmed from the Federal Government’s failure to implement directives earlier given by President Bola Tinubu, instructing the Ministers of Finance and Budget to release funds for completed projects.
Reps issue 7-day ultimatum to finance, budget ministers
The House resolved to give the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the Accountant-General of the Federation seven days to settle all outstanding payments owed to the protesting contractors and to fully commence implementation of the 2025 budget.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who presided over the plenary, put the motion to a voice vote, which was unanimously adopted by lawmakers across party lines.
Shortly after the resolution, drama unfolded when Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu Mai-Palace (APC, Zamfara) moved a follow-up motion urging the House to adjourn plenary for one week until the executive acts on the ultimatum.
“Mr Speaker, the urgency and sensitivity of this matter demand that we suspend our sittings for one week so that the leadership can engage the executive to find a lasting solution,” Mai-Palace said.
Supporting the motion, Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, said the decision was practical given that access to the National Assembly had been blocked by protesters.
“Members came late today because the roads were blocked by the protesters. It’s sensible to step back and allow the executive to act,” Waive explained.
Naijaonpoint reports that following unanimous approval by voice vote, Deputy Speaker Kalu announced that all plenary sessions would be suspended until next Tuesday, pending the outcome of consultations between the House leadership and the executive arm.
The House also mandated its leadership to ensure strict compliance with the resolution and to report back within one week for “further drastic legislative action” should the executive fail to meet the deadline.
The protest, which began early Tuesday, saw scores of indigenous contractors carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs at the entrance of the National Assembly Complex.
They accused the government of owing billions of naira for projects completed under the 2024 fiscal year.
Security operatives, including the police and civil defence, were deployed to control the crowd as lawmakers struggled to gain entry into the premises before resolving to suspend proceedings.
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