FG confirms N152bn payment to verified contractors after protest

The Federal Government has confirmed disbursing N152 billion to contractors whose contracts successfully passed the required verification processes.

This follows a protest on Monday by indigenous contractors under the group AICAN, who blocked the gates of the Federal Ministry of Finance over delayed payments.

In a notable intervention, the Minister of State for Finance reportedly defied security advice to personally engage the protesters.

Her direct dialogue is said to have calmed tensions and led to negotiations, where assurances were provided on resolving outstanding verified claims.

An internal ministry memo emphasised that contract payments undergo multiple checks in line with laws and regulations to safeguard public funds and ensure accountability.

While acknowledging the financial strain caused by delays, the ministry appealed for continued dialogue as the best way to resolve remaining issues.

Minister Uzoka-Anite reiterated the government’s commitment to due process, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, stating, “We understand the pressures contractors are facing, but we must also ensure that every payment made complies fully with established procedures to protect taxpayers’ money.”

The ministry assured contractors of its continued support and openness to dialogue, while also urging respect for the payment process and its personnel, who have reportedly faced intimidation.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to processing all legitimate requests in a timely manner, provided they meet due process requirements, as part of efforts to strengthen public financial management and rebuild contractor confidence.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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