The House of Representatives has summoned top federal government officials over the continued non-payment of contractors for completed projects, some dating back to October 2024, despite the availability of funds in the 2024 national budget.
Those summoned to appear before lawmakers include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Yemi Cardoso; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Accountant-General of the Federation, Babatunde Ogunjimi; and Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira.
The decision was prompted by a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Ezechi Nnamdi (PDP, Delta), who raised alarm over the growing number of abandoned projects and financial strain on contractors due to delayed payments.
Nnamdi stated that although funds were approved under the 2024 Appropriation Act, many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have received less than half of their capital allocations. “This failure has created ripple effects across the economy—contractors are unable to pay their workers, projects are being stalled, and public confidence in government is fading fast,” he said.
He warned that if the issue persists, it could lead to widespread protests, legal challenges, and further damage to critical infrastructure.
Following a heated debate, the House resolved to summon the concerned officials to appear on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to clarify the reasons for the delays and to present a roadmap for the settlement of verified contractual obligations.
The House also directed its Committees on Public Accounts and Budget and Economic Planning to investigate the root of the delays, especially the roles played by MDAs in stalling payments. The committees are expected to report back within four weeks with recommendations, including possible legislative actions to prevent future occurrences.
Lawmakers stressed that timely payment for completed work is essential not only for contractor welfare but also for national economic stability and infrastructure development.
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