By Hassan Hussain
The Chairman of the Association of Indigenous Contractors in the FCT, Mr. Adebola Benson, has said the group’s peaceful protest at the FCTA Secretariat was to demand payment for completed projects allegedly owed to members by the FCT Administration.
Mr. Benson said the contractors had repeatedly engaged the authorities over the past three to four years without resolution. He noted that the group had previously visited the secretariat in December, where they were assured that the matter would be addressed after they submitted their list of affected contractors.
According to him, despite several efforts to reach relevant officials and seek intervention, the outstanding payments remain unresolved.
He disputed claims that contractors received jobs through individual directors, saying many projects were approved through official channels within the FCT Administration, including the offices of secretaries, coordinators, and other relevant departments.
Mr. Benson alleged that some contractors had secured approvals for payment for over a year but were yet to receive their funds. He said many are now struggling with debts incurred from banks and other lenders after executing the projects.
He put the current value of outstanding payments at over ₦8 billion, adding that more contractors are joining the association as their efforts to receive payment continue to fail.
“We have the names of the people, we have the legal agreements, and we will show who signed the agreements. The files are there; they should check who approved these payments,” Benson said.
He appealed to the FCT Minister to review the situation and act on the contractors’ complaints. He warned that if the issue remains unresolved, the group will expand its protest to other institutions, including embassies and the National Assembly.
Mr. Benson insisted that the contractors will remain at the FCTA Secretariat until their concerns are addressed, saying they are prepared to continue the demonstration.
He also recalled that he had previously been arrested over his criticism of statements made regarding the contractors’ situation, but maintained that the group will continue pressing for payment.
