Reps Give Ministers 7-Day Ultimatum To Pay Local Contractors

Reps Issue 7-Day Ultimatum to Ministers Over Unpaid Local Contractors

In a decisive move reflecting growing frustration over delayed payments, the House of Representatives of Nigeria has issued a seven-day ultimatum to key government officials, demanding the immediate settlement of outstanding debts owed to indigenous contractors.

The ultimatum was directed at the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi. This directive also includes a call for the full implementation of the 2025 national budget.

The resolution emerged from a motion of urgent public importance raised by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who informed the House of a protest staged by local contractors. 

The demonstration, which disrupted movement in and out of the National Assembly complex, underscored the contractors’ grievances over unpaid government contracts. The protest prompted the House leadership to engage in meetings with the concerned ministers and subsequently with President Bola Tinubu.

According to Chinda, the President responded by ordering the immediate payment of the contractors.

The House unanimously adopted the motion, signaling broad legislative support for the contractors’ cause. In a show of solidarity, a motion proposed by Zamfara lawmaker Ahmadu Mai Palace to adjourn the House proceedings was also approved.

This gesture was meant to express empathy with the contractors and acknowledge the disruption caused by their protest. Francis Waive, Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, seconded the motion, emphasizing the inconvenience suffered by lawmakers and staff due to the protest and warning that the contractors had threatened to intensify their siege on the complex if their demands were not met within the week.

The House further warned that failure to comply with its resolution could lead to more drastic legislative measures. This development highlights the tension between the legislative and executive arms of government over fiscal accountability and the treatment of local contractors. It also reflects the broader challenges of budget implementation and economic coordination in Nigeria’s public sector.