Contractors Seek Clarity Over Payment Claims At Finance Ministry

Contractors under AICAN gathered at the Finance Ministry seeking clarity on alleged ₦700 billion payments, insisting most members are yet to receive funds despite government assurances on settling outstanding debts.

Members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Monday gathered at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja to demand clarification over reports that the Federal Government had released ₦700 billion for payment of outstanding capital project debts.

The contractors said the alleged payment forms part of a larger ₦1 trillion debt owed for projects executed in 2024, adding that many of their members are still awaiting settlement despite earlier assurances from government officials.

AICAN President, Jackson Nwosu, said about 85 percent of contractors were yet to receive any payment, despite expectations that funds would begin to reflect in their accounts following earlier engagements with the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He noted that while discussions had been held regarding a partial release of funds, the reality on the ground suggested that only a few contractors had benefited so far.

“We were expecting payments to begin reflecting, but that has not happened for most members,” he said.

The association also expressed concern over the reported ₦700 billion disbursement, insisting that there was no clear evidence that the funds had been widely paid out to affected contractors.

AICAN National Secretary, Babatunde Seun, echoed the concerns, stressing that members who executed government projects under previous budget cycles deserved full and prompt settlement.

He said: “We came out this morning because of the news that ₦700 billion had been approved. We have submitted claims running into billions and many contractors have still not been paid.”

Seun rejected any suggestion of partial payment, arguing that it would be unfair to contractors who had already completed their obligations.

Responding to the concerns, the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi, stated that although the funds had been approved, they were not yet available for immediate disbursement.