Contractors working on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) infrastructure projects have sent a desperate 'Save Our Soul' (SOS) message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging his immediate intervention in a longstanding payment dispute with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The contractors claim they are owed a cumulative sum of N5.2 billion for completed works, with no resolution in sight despite repeated appeals to the Minister and the Ministry.
The contractors, who have been pivotal in the development and maintenance of various FCT projects, say the unresolved payment issue has led to severe financial strain, affecting their businesses and the livelihoods of thousands of workers. Many of the contractors have been unable to meet financial obligations to their employees, suppliers, and subcontractors due to the withholding of payment, putting the continuation of critical infrastructural projects in jeopardy.
In a statement released by the contractors, they called on President Tinubu to urgently step in and resolve the matter, as the non-payment has escalated into a full-blown crisis that is undermining the progress of the FCT’s development goals. The contractors also expressed concerns about the broader economic impact, noting that the outstanding payments represent a significant part of the FCT’s development budget and affect the timely completion of key projects.
"Despite our consistent efforts to engage with the Ministry and the FCT Minister, the payment of N5.2 billion for work already completed has not been honored," said a spokesperson for the contractors. "Our plea is for the President to intervene as a matter of urgency. The continuous delay in payment is not only putting our businesses at risk but also delaying essential infrastructure projects that the people of Abuja and the nation rely on."
The contractors noted that several promises to settle the outstanding payments had been made by the FCT Ministry but have yet to be fulfilled. The contractors have also raised concerns over a lack of transparency and communication in the payment process.
The contractors’ appeal to President Tinubu comes at a time when there is growing frustration within the construction sector over delayed payments, which are affecting both public and private projects across the country. The FCT contractors are now calling for an immediate resolution to the matter to prevent further disruptions and maintain the momentum of infrastructure development in the nation's capital.
"We are calling on President Tinubu to take swift action in resolving this matter, as the lack of payment not only undermines our efforts but also threatens the stability of the construction industry in the FCT. We are committed to the development of our nation, but we need the government to honor its financial commitments to ensure continued progress," the spokesperson added.