Judul : N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded
link : N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded
N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded
On Monday, the House of Representatives instructed Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the Accountant-General of the Federation, to provide a detailed account of every payment made to contractors using the ₦2.4 trillion recently allocated by the Federal Government for project implementation nationwide.
Following confirmation from the Accountant-General's Office, it was revealed that a total of N2.4 trillion had been disbursed to various contractors working on projects for the Federal Government.
Legislators, on the other hand, maintained that the money should result in tangible projects that Nigerians can experience and profit from, cautioning contractors against the corrupt act of flaunting completion certificates for nonexistent work.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House and head of the special committee on budget execution, gave the warning following a tense meeting with leaders from the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria.
Just a week prior, the House of Representatives intervened in the situation sparked by contractors who blockaded the Ministry of Finance due to outstanding payments.
In response, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, tasked Kalu with heading up a dedicated committee aimed at resolving the impasse and re-establishing stability.
On September 4, 2025, the committee convened for the first time and successfully obtained a pledge from the government to discharge 25% of the debt. A subsequent assessment is scheduled for September 21.
This past Sunday, the Accountant General of the Federation's office announced that ₦2.4tn had been disbursed, with ₦160bn still owed. The office also stated that Finance Minister Wale Edun had authorized an additional ₦760bn in warrants and cash backing, bringing the government's overall financial pledge to roughly ₦3.1tn.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kalu acknowledged the payments as positive news. However, he emphasized that both the government and the contractors involved are still subject to examination.
Kalu stated that after contractors obstructed the Finance Ministry, the House stepped in to re-establish control. They diffused the tense situation using legislative negotiation. However, he emphasized that their purpose is not to support fraudulent demands or blindly approve corruption. He stressed that ₦2.4tn is a substantial amount, and Nigerians deserve to witness tangible projects resulting from such expenditure.
He recognized advancements in certain areas, such as the partial payment of outstanding debts and the approval of batch numbers, but pointed out that issues with authorizations and financial support continue to be problematic.
The government has verified that ₦2.4 trillion has already been disbursed, and an additional ₦760 billion is planned. This amounts to approximately ₦3.1 trillion. Despite this, contractors continue to protest in public, claiming they are being ignored. The House of Representatives is demanding precise details about who has received payments, the amounts paid, and who remains unpaid. Anything less than complete transparency is not acceptable.
"It's unethical to announce a hospital's finished construction while patients are still dying due to lack of beds. It's deceitful to assert that classrooms are built when children are still learning outdoors under trees. Every penny must correspond to tangible outcomes. Enough with projects that exist only on paper. Enough with the falsehoods," he cautioned.
He mentioned that the committee has requested a validated spreadsheet from the Accountant-General. This spreadsheet is needed to match the government's statements with the complaints of the contractors.
Kalu pledged, "We are resolved to uncover any inconsistencies. If ₦2.4 trillion has been disbursed and contractors are still complaining, there is a serious problem, and we will investigate it thoroughly."
He guaranteed Nigerians that the committee would remain steadfast, stating that another review meeting following the agreement has been scheduled for October 5, 2025. At this meeting, both government representatives and contractors will discuss the extent of the advancement made.
Provided courtesy of SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).Thus the article N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded
You are now reading the article N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded with the link addresshttps://www.angkaraja.cfd/2025/10/n24trn-contractor-payments-proof.html
0 Response to "N2.4trn Contractor Payments: Proof Demanded"
Post a Comment