According to a statement on Thursday by Levinus Nwabughiogu,
chief press secretary to Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of
representatives, the minister spoke after a meeting convened by the lawmaker in
Abuja.

Edun said the federal government has adopted a structured
process to address outstanding obligations to contractors.

“Under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, we did
hold a marathon meeting today where all the issues were discussed and a
timeline was put in place and a way forward was mapped out and all parties at
the end of it left knowing that contractors would be paid for jobs done and we
have an orderly and systematic way of dealing with the backlogs which had
approved overtime,” he said.

“Once again, we commend the leadership of the House of
Representatives and the contractors for their willingness to sit down and
dialogue. The Accountant-General of the Federation made some commitments which
helped us to chart the way forward.

“We had a peaceful solution. A timeline was put in place and
everyone accepted that there are steps that need to be taken, approvals, finalization
and orderly procedure for payments. After Friday’s holiday, the Central Bank
will open again on Monday and payments will commence immediately.”

The assurance follows a protest in Abuja by indigenous
contractors who said they have been owed for over two years.

Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, accountant-general of the federation,
corroborated Edun’s statement, saying the payment process has already begun.

“This process is ongoing. We’ve been paying contractors and
we will continue to pay. From Monday, payments will start dropping,” Ogunjimi
said.

Earlier, leaders of the association of indigenous
contractors of Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the resolutions reached at
the meeting and commended Kalu for his intervention, pledging to discontinue
the protest.