Contractors besiege FCTA over ₦5bn debt, as Wike denies awarding contracts

A group of indigenous contractors on Monday stormed the gate of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over alleged unpaid debts running into ₦5.2 billion.

The contractors, who said they executed various emergency and maintenance jobs, insisted that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must address their grievances.

Speaking with journalists, the protesting contractors vowed to remain at the FCTA gate until the minister acknowledges their presence and respond to their plight. They, however, clarified that they would not barricade the entrance to obstruct official activities.

In a swift response from the FCT Administration, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the claims and insisted that the minister had not awarded contracts to the protesters.

One of the contractors, Adebola Benson, who spoke on behalf of the group, explained that the debts had accumulated over several years.

He disclosed that while some liabilities were inherited from the previous administration, others were incurred during Wike’s tenure.

“So far, the liabilities calculated is in billions, over N5.2 billion is owed different contractors over time,” Benson said.

“Some of the debts accrued from the last minister’s time before Wike came and he too has incurred some debts,” he added.

Benson explained that past ministers made piecemeal payments to contractors, a practice which left many unsettled bills.

According to him, the current minister initially made part-payments but later stopped, leaving contractors stranded.

“However, the previous minister used to pay peace meal and left some unpaid. When Wike came, we complained, he paid a bit and stopped since then. We are appealing to him to please pay us,” he said.

The contractors included refuse collectors, renovation workers, supply and maintenance service providers, road patching crews, desilting contractors, electrification experts, and others.

Benson argued that their work was often urgent, especially when emergencies such as streetlight failures or burst water pipes occurred in strategic locations.

But reacting to the claims, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, stated categorically that Wike did not award contracts to the group.

“No contract was awarded to any of the local contractors by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. If they have documents showing award of contracts by the Minister, they should produce them.” he said.

Olayinka explained that in December 2023, a bill of about ₦10 billion was presented to the minister as outstanding payment for jobs executed by contractors before Wike assumed office.

“The same December 2023, payment of over N5 billion was approved by the Minister, and this was made immediately,” he disclosed. He added that another ₦5 billion was paid in January 2024, fully clearing the inherited ₦10 billion debt.

He, however, expressed concern that just three months later, contractors returned with another ₦15 billion claim on the same “minor procurement” jobs.

“How can you claim to have carried out jobs worth over N15 billion within three months, without the approval of the Minister? How can you accumulate over N15 billion debt on contracts within three months?” he queried.

Olayinka further questioned the fluctuating figures being presented by the contractors. “From N15 billion to N8 billion and now N5 billion, the question is, on whose authority was the contracts awarded?” he asked.