Reps order finance, budget ministers to pay contractors within seven days
The House of Representatives has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget, Atiku Bagudu, to ensure payment to contractors for jobs executed under the 2024 and 2025 Appropriations.
The resolution followed a motion on Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), at plenary on Tuesday.
The contractors thronged the entrance of the National Assembly Complex, making access difficult, insisting on continuing the protest throughout the week.
Moving the motion, Mr Chinda said that the house acknowledged the plights of local contractors who had protested many times in the past at the assembly gate.
He recalled that the ministers and the Accountant General of the Federation were invited to a high-level committee meeting led by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and they made promises and undertakings to ensure that local contractors were paid.
Mr Chinda said that President Bola Tinubu instructed the ministers to immediately effect payment to contractors and execution of the budgets.
According to the lawmaker, the implementation of the promises and undertakings is still abysmal.
“The said instruction was not implemented several weeks thereafter; the non-payment of local contractors had resulted to severe hardship on both the local contractors and indeed the Nigerian populace and that has brought tension and increased poverty in our country.
d report back within one week for further drastic legislative action.
In a related development, Kabiru Mai-Palace (PDP-Zamfara), moved a motion that the house adjourn plenary for one week to enable the leadership to interface with the executive to ensure swift payment.
Seconding the motion, Francis Waive (APC-Delta) said that the adjournment was also necessary as the protesters insisted on blocking the National Assembly gate throughout the week.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, moved for the adoption of votes and proceedings and adjourned plenary to Tuesday, November 11.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
LASTMA intensifies clampdown on illegal roadside activities, impounds 155 vehicles
Mr Giwa said the exercise forms part of efforts to ensure traffic order before, during, and after the upcoming festive season.
States
Gov. Radda presents N897.8 billion 2026 budget to Katsina assembly
Mr Radda said the budget has an increase of N205.6 billion from the previous year.
Enugu
Enugu assembly orders transport ministry to stop depositing traffic fines in private accounts
Mr Aneke said agents of the transport ministry and other traffic enforcement bodies imposed arbitrary fines on motorists without due process.
Politics
Don’t dare security operatives during Anambra guber poll, IGP warns thugs
Mr Egbetokun also cautioned political parties, their candidates, and supporters to strictly adhere to electoral rules.
States
Gov Bago inaugurates SON office complex in Minna
Mr Bago added that the SON office would also support the state’s efforts in agro-processing, renewable energy, and small-scale manufacturing.
States
FG begins free rabies vaccination for dogs, cats in Nasarawa
Ms Akujobi assured that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration remains committed and determined to eradicate rabies with the One-Health approach.
