A group of local contractors working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the gate of the FCT Minister’s office, calling for the release of more than N5.2 billion allegedly owed to them for contracts executed over the past two years.
The contractors told journalists that individual debts run into millions of naira.
They appealed to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, to meet with them directly to understand their concerns.
Okeke Benardine, a contractor, said: “We’ve worked with the FCT for years. When the Minister came in, some payments were made, but for almost two years now nothing has come.
“I installed those air conditioners. I also handled inverters and boreholes. We are simply asking the Minister to pay us. We don’t understand the delay.”
Benardine explained that his contracts were with departments such as Education and RUWASSA, as well as agencies including the AMMC, Water Board, and Health.
“The list we have totals N5.2 billion, and I’m owed about N270 million. Some contractors are not even on the list, so the actual figure may be higher. Around 70 per cent of the debt is from 2023,” he said.
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Another contractor, Adebola Benson, claimed he was arrested after sending a text message to the Minister about the unpaid debts.
“I was contacted by a police officer after I sent the message. My work was investigated, but I don’t know why,” Benson said.
He also appealed for direct communication with the Minister.
“We want him to speak with us directly and explain the delay. Many of us have invested our personal funds in these projects,” he added.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Hon. Minister Wike, please authorise our payment – we can barely support our families” and “Please approve payment for indigenous contractors.”
In response, the FCTA denied that Minister Wike had awarded any new contracts to local contractors.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister, said no contracts were issued by Wike.
“If there’s proof that the Minister awarded any contracts, they should present it,” Olayinka said.
He explained that the Minister inherited a debt of N10 billion from previous administrations, which was paid in two tranches — over N5 billion in December 2023 and another in January 2024.
However, by March 2024, a new set of contractors submitted fresh claims amounting to N15 billion, raising questions.
“The figures have changed repeatedly — from N15 billion to N8 billion, and now N5 billion. Who approved these contracts? That’s what they need to explain,” Olayinka said.
The FCTA reiterated that while inherited debts have been cleared, no new contracts under the “minor procurement” scheme have been approved by the current Minister.
