Unpaid Debts: Protesting Contractors Block Finance Ministry Again

Protesting contractors on Tuesday shut the main entrances to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding immediate payment of long-outstanding debts owed by the Federal Government.

The protesters, made up of contractors handling various government projects, arrived early in the morning and mounted a blockade around the ministry’s headquarters, disrupting official activities and restricting movement of staff and visitors. Some protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Pay Us Our Money,” “No Payment, No Peace,” and “Contracts Done, Debts Unpaid.”

Speaking to journalists at the scene, representatives of the contractors said they were forced to return to the streets after repeated promises by government officials failed to translate into actual payments. According to them, many of the affected contracts were fully executed several months — and in some cases years — ago, yet payments remain outstanding.

“We have written letters, attended meetings and made several appeals. We have been patient, but our businesses are collapsing and workers are suffering,” one of the protest leaders said. “This is why we are here again.”

The protesters accused the government of neglecting local contractors while continuing to award new projects. They warned that the protest would continue until a clear payment timeline is announced and honoured.

Security operatives were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent a breakdown of law and order, while officials of the ministry engaged some protest leaders in closed-door discussions.

Officials of the Finance Ministry acknowledged the contractors’ grievances and appealed for calm, assuring them that the government is working on settling verified arrears. A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said budgetary constraints and ongoing verification processes have delayed payments but promised that efforts are being intensified to resolve the issue.

This is not the first time contractors have protested at the ministry over unpaid obligations, raising renewed concerns about public sector debt management and its impact on businesses and employment in the country.

As of the time of filing this report, normal activities at the ministry had yet to fully resume, with protesters maintaining their presence while awaiting concrete commitments from government authorities.