By Denis Matthew, Abuja
A fresh controversy has erupted between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors regarding the settlement of outstanding debts, with both parties citing vastly different figures concerning recent disbursements.
While the government claims to have cleared N152 billion in verified debts, the contractors insist that only a fraction of that amount has reached them.
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, announced on Thursday via her social media page that the Federal Ministry of Finance had disbursed a total of N152 billion to local contractors for verified projects.
The announcement was intended to quell weeks of agitation and protests by contractors who have besieged the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, alleging prolonged delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite emphasized that the payments followed rigorous due process and existing financial regulations designed to protect taxpayers’ funds.
She acknowledged the financial pressure on the contractors but maintained that the verification process, though time-consuming, was non-negotiable to prevent fraud and eliminate inflated claims.
She further warned against the intimidation and harassment of ministry staff, urging aggrieved parties to channel their complaints through appropriate institutional mechanisms rather than confrontational tactics.
However, the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) has swiftly countered the Minister’s claim.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Rotimi Raheem, described the N152 billion figure as untrue.
According to Raheem, feedback from members indicates that the total amount received so far is in the region of N20 billion, representing a massive shortfall from the government’s declared figure.
He noted that only about five per cent of their members have received payment alerts.
The discrepancy has set the stage for a tense showdown, with Raheem disclosing that the association’s leadership is scheduled to meet with the Minister later on Thursday to reconcile the conflicting figures and demand transparency regarding the balance.
The contractors have warned that the delays are crippling their businesses, leading to mounting debts, job losses, and stalled projects across the country.
