Local contractors on Wednesday blocked the main entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance over the non-payment of funds for completed government projects.
The aggrieved contractors under the aegis of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, carried placards demanding immediate settlement of debts dating back to 2024.
Due to the protest, staff and visitors were unable to gain access to the ministry. The convoy of the Minister of Finance was also prevented from entering through the main gate, forcing the minister to use an alternative route to reach his office.
Efforts by the permanent secretary of the ministry to address the demonstrators were rebuffed, as the contractors insisted on hearing directly from the minister.
The protest follows a similar demonstration in July, when local contractors decried delays in payment. The group blamed the continued situation on inefficiencies in the centralised payment system jointly operated by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Finance Ministry.
According to the protesters, the system has consistently failed to release funds on time, unlike previous arrangements where payments were processed directly by the ministry
