The All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) launched a fervent protest at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate disbursement of approximately N4 trillion owed for completed capital projects in 2024. Their grievances stemmed from protracted delays in payment, despite repeated assurances from high-ranking government officials, including the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The association’s secretary, Babatunde Seun, articulated the contractors’ frustrations, highlighting the broken promises and the severe financial hardships they were enduring due to the government’s inaction.
Seun recounted previous meetings with the AGF and the Minister, where promises of payment within 48 hours were made. However, these assurances proved empty, as only a negligible fraction of the association’s 5,000 members received any payment. He lamented the piecemeal approach adopted by the government, which offered little respite to the vast majority of contractors struggling under the weight of unpaid dues. The Minister’s pledge to release funds for February and March warrants also remained unfulfilled, leaving the contractors deeply disillusioned and questioning the government’s commitment to honoring its obligations. The contractors felt deceived by the government’s unfulfilled promises, emphasizing the gravity of the situation by pointing out that the delays were forcing them into dire financial straits.
The contractors’ plight extended beyond mere financial inconvenience. Seun described the debilitating impact of the delayed payments on their personal lives, recounting how many had accrued significant debts, were unable to afford their children’s school fees, and were struggling to provide basic healthcare for their families. The impending resumption of school amplified their anxieties, as parents faced the daunting prospect of sending their children back to school without the means to cover their educational expenses. The contractors’ desperation was palpable, driven by the realization that their livelihoods and families’ well-being were hanging precariously in the balance.
Their protest took the form of a blockade at the Ministry of Finance, preventing staff, including the Minister’s convoy, from accessing the building. This drastic action underscored their resolve to secure the owed payments. The placards displayed by the protestors encapsulated their frustration and directed criticism toward the National Assembly for its perceived inaction in addressing their grievances. They accused the legislative body of standing idly by as Nigerian contractors suffered injustice regarding the payments for 2024 capital projects, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.
The AICAN’s demands were clear and unambiguous: full payment for all completed and certified capital projects. They vowed to maintain their presence at the Ministry until their demands were met, signaling a protracted struggle if the government failed to respond adequately. They expressed a willingness to continue the protest indefinitely, even into December if necessary, underscoring the depth of their commitment to securing the rightfully owed payments. Their message was clear: they would not relent until they received the full amount due to them.
The AICAN protest shines a light on the precarious position of local contractors in Nigeria, often caught in the crosshairs of bureaucratic delays and unfulfilled promises. The immense financial burden placed on these contractors, coupled with the personal hardships they endure, paints a bleak picture of the challenges they face. Their resort to drastic measures, such as blockading the Ministry of Finance, underscores the urgency of their situation and their determination to secure the payments they desperately need. The situation demands immediate attention from the government to address the systemic issues contributing to these payment delays and prevent further hardship for local contractors. The AICAN’s protest serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely payments in maintaining the financial stability and well-being of contractors who play a vital role in the country’s development.
