No fewer than 1,000 civil society organisations (CSOs) have demanded the immediate resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, over the non-payment of N4 trillion debt allegedly owed to local contractors.

In a statement yesterday, the CSOs supported the ongoing protest in Abuja on the matter, adding that it is unfortunate that the minister allegedly defied interventions by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and a presidential directive issued last December for the clearance of the backlog.

The CSOs, in the statement signed by Wisdom Abah of the National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), Istifanus Pam of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Babatunde Ibidapo of the Movement for Accountable and Good Governance (MAGGo), among others, accused the minister of failing to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the immediate settlement of outstanding obligations to the indigenous contractors.

According to the groups, Uzoka-Anite’s alleged inaction has worsened the financial hardship facing indigenous contractors and directly triggered the ongoing protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The CSOs described the situation as avoidable, attributing it to what they termed unwarranted negligence by the minister, and warned that prolonged non-payment could have negative consequences on the nation’s economy.

“This whole situation was avoidable. We have repeatedly drawn the attention of the Honourable Minister of State for Finance to this issue, but the failure to act has now resulted in the ongoing protest,” the CSOs claimed.

While commending the patience and perseverance of the contractors since 2024, the groups called on the Federal Government to urgently address the backlog.

Also, members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) have raised concerns over the impact of delayed payments for federal projects, warning that it could hinder economic growth, fuel unemployment, and worsen social vices.

The contractors had on Monday resumed their demonstration in Abuja, demanding the release of over N4 trillion allegedly owed to them for projects executed under the 2024 Federal Government budget.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, a National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Johnson Akinsehinwa, explained that the delay in payment was detrimental to the country’s economy.

warned that persistent non-payment could weaken the economy, expose contractors to financial losses, and contribute to unemployment and social vices such as insecurity, banditry, and insurgency, particularly among idle youths.

Akinsehinwa also noted that the nation’s economy relies heavily on government spending, with delayed budget implementation worsening economic pressures.

According to him, only about 50 per cent of the 2024 budget had reportedly been executed. Another executive member, Saidu Jega, said the government, through its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), is central to resolving the issue, adding that it serves as the procuring entity for capital projects that sustain jobs and livelihoods. (The Guardian)