Local contractors on Wednesday barricaded the main entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, protesting the government’s failure to pay for completed projects.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, wielded placards and demanded the immediate release of outstanding funds dating as far back as 2024.
The protest disrupted operations at the ministry, preventing staff, visitors, and even the Finance Minister’s convoy from accessing the premises through the main gate. The minister was forced to take an alternative route to reach his office.
Attempts by the permanent secretary to pacify the crowd were rejected, as the contractors insisted on hearing directly from the minister.
This latest protest mirrors a similar demonstration in July, where the contractors decried persistent delays in payment. They blamed the crisis on inefficiencies in the centralised payment system jointly run by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Finance Ministry.
According to them, the system has consistently failed to disburse funds promptly — unlike previous arrangements where payments were processed directly by the ministry.
Ads
