Reps order finance, budget ministers to pay contractors within seven days
The House of Representatives has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget, Atiku Bagudu, to ensure payment to contractors for jobs executed under the 2024 and 2025 Appropriations.
The resolution followed a motion on Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), at plenary on Tuesday.
The contractors thronged the entrance of the National Assembly Complex, making access difficult, insisting on continuing the protest throughout the week.
Moving the motion, Mr Chinda said that the house acknowledged the plights of local contractors who had protested many times in the past at the assembly gate.
He recalled that the ministers and the Accountant General of the Federation were invited to a high-level committee meeting led by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and they made promises and undertakings to ensure that local contractors were paid.
Mr Chinda said that President Bola Tinubu instructed the ministers to immediately effect payment to contractors and execution of the budgets.
According to the lawmaker, the implementation of the promises and undertakings is still abysmal.
“The said instruction was not implemented several weeks thereafter; the non-payment of local contractors had resulted to severe hardship on both the local contractors and indeed the Nigerian populace and that has brought tension and increased poverty in our country.
d report back within one week for further drastic legislative action.
In a related development, Kabiru Mai-Palace (PDP-Zamfara), moved a motion that the house adjourn plenary for one week to enable the leadership to interface with the executive to ensure swift payment.
Seconding the motion, Francis Waive (APC-Delta) said that the adjournment was also necessary as the protesters insisted on blocking the National Assembly gate throughout the week.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, moved for the adoption of votes and proceedings and adjourned plenary to Tuesday, November 11.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Massive security operation ongoing to rescue abducted principal, students, NECO official: Ododo
Mr Fanwo stated that advanced technology was also being deployed to support the rescue operation.
States
APC vows massive turnaround in Osun if candidate wins governorship poll
Mr Omowaiye urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for party members during campaigns and on election day.
States
Kaduna LG welcomes NLC delegation on sensitisation tour, recommits to workers’ welfareÂ
Mr Suleiman reaffirmed the union’s commitment to protecting workers’ welfare and promoting industrial harmony across the state.
Uncategorized
Gov. Soludo’s wife urges youths to embrace skills acquisition, continuous learning
Mrs Soludo encouraged youths to embrace continuous learning and never stop acquiring new skills.
Heading 2
13 victims rescued as troops overpower terrorists in Zamfara gun battle
Mr Danja said the rescue followed intelligence-led operations in the affected areas.
States
Scrap scarcity major challenge in Nigeria’s steel sector: Expert
Mr Madagua described scrap as a key raw material for steel production.
