A group of Nigerian contractors has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the alleged non-payment for projects executed since 2024 under various Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The contractors, who raised concerns over the situation, claimed that despite being issued payment vouchers, they later discovered there was no cash backing to access the funds. They linked the delays to the centralisation of contractor payments by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

Speaking to reporters in Ilorin, Mr. Ibrahim Bamisaye, a contractor from Ibadan, expressed frustration over the impact of the delays on their business and personal life.

?The resultant effect on us is that we keep on servicing the interests on the loans and the bonds we entered into to execute and complete these projects. We had hoped that the money would be released as scheduled. Our workers cannot get their salaries and to meet the needs of our families is becoming difficult on a daily basis,? Bamisaye said.

He explained that following the passage of the national budget by the National Assembly, MDAs are expected to be empowered to pay contractors, with advertisements for projects made only after funds are confirmed available.

?But the newly approved policy, which is causing serious delay in the payment, is that all the contractors in Nigeria will now be paid directly from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. It is causing serious traffic in the payment of our money. We want President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to help us look into this serious issue,? he said.

Bamisaye commended the President for efforts to reduce Nigeria?s debt burden with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and for strengthening the country?s external reserves. However, he stressed that improvements in the economy should reflect in the lives of citizens.

?When we are paid our money, the masses will feel the impact. The flow of money will be physically felt by them. Then it is the President that will receive the accolades. The local contractors are dying. The President should please come to our rescue. It had never been in the history of Nigeria that the government could not meet her obligations on budget implementation,? he said.

He further noted that if there is a shortage of funds, the government should refrain from advertising new projects.

?In the past, funds were released to the MDAs on a quarterly basis. We are almost in the fifth month of the 2025 fiscal year,? he added. (The Guardian)

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