The federal government, on Thursday, claimed that it has paid a total of ₦152 billion to various local contractors for verified projects completed.
This was made known in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Finance amidst the ongoing protests by local contractors under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), over the non-payment of their entitlements by the government.
The statement, which acknowledged the financial pressure and delays in paying the balance that have placed on contractors, however, appealed for continued engagement as a pathway to resolving outstanding issues.
The Ministry noted that its staff have faced intimidation and harassment over the actions of the contractors and appealed for calm and dialogue in resolving the outstanding issues.
It assured that the government is following established verification procedures designed to safeguard public funds and maintain accountability in spending.
“The process of payment for contracts goes through various verification processes in line with extant laws and regulations, to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure accountability and transparency.
“We also plead for continuous dialogue and engagement for effective resolution of all conflicts,” the ministry said.
The ministry assured contractors of its willingness to maintain open communication and civility in handling payment requests.
It further stated that all outstanding payment requests would continue to be processed in line with due process and handled “in a timely and consistent manner.”
“We assure all contractors of our continuous support and openness to constructive dialogue and urge all contractors to respect the process and the personnel of the Federal Ministry of Finance, who have had to endure different levels of intimidation and harassment,” the statement added.
The Ministry also revealed that the federal government has proposed setting aside ₦1.8 trillion in the 2026 budget to clear outstanding payments for capital projects executed under the 2024 fiscal year.
Naijaonpoint understands that of this amount, ₦100 billion has been allocated specifically for indigenous contractors, many of whom have raised concerns over prolonged delays and worsening financial conditions.
Speaking recently on their plight, the president of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), Jackson Nwosu, said the government has failed to honour previous promises, and they won’t end the resumed protests until all their demands are met.