Local contractors, under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), on Monday staged another peaceful protest at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over alleged delays in the payment of outstanding debts.
The protesters blocked access to the ministry, chanting solidarity songs and calling on the Minister of Finance to immediately address what they described as prolonged and unjustified non-payment for projects already executed.
The contractors accused the Federal Government of constantly shifting its position on debt settlement, noting that the delays have affected the completion and commissioning of several projects nationwide.
According to them, many projects that were fully executed and even commissioned by government officials are still unpaid.
The latest protest is a continuation of similar demonstrations staged last year, during which the contractors demanded the payment of all outstanding obligations owed by the Federal Government.
They insisted that, despite repeated assurances, their demands had not yet been met.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu directed that a committee be established to address contractors’ grievances and verify outstanding claims.
Similarly, the Senate also constituted a committee and invited the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged non-payment of the debts.
