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Indigenous Contractors Call on President Tinubu to Pay Owed N500 billion Contract Money to Stop their Untimely Death
Indigenous Contractors Call on President Tinubu to Pay Owed N500 billion Contract Money to Stop their Untimely Death
By: Michael Mike
Indigenous contractors have cried to federal government to immediately pay them for contracts they have fully agreed executed in order to stem the tide of death of their counterparts and severe hardship all of them of continued to bear due to continued non-payment of what is due to them.
The group who thronged the federal ministry of finance for the second day running to protest non-payment of over N500 billion to indigenous contractors for contracts already completed and since commission, lamenting severe hardship of contractors and called on the President to intervene immediately.
Speaking during the protest in Abuja, representatives of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria said the government’s failure to release payments for fully executed 2024 federal projects has pushed many contractors into financial distress, loss of property, illness and in some cases death.
Haruna Gabari, President of the Nigerian Indigenous Contractors Association, highlighted the non-payment of contractors for 2024 projects, expressing frustration over the federal government taking credit for contracts executed by contractors without providing the approved payments.
He said: “We are protesting the contract we executed on behalf of the Nigerian federal government, a contract commissioned and executed by the federal government, particularly by members of the National Assembly, who have taken credit for it. But so far, the federal government has not paid us.”
Gabari called for presidential intervention to ensure payment and accountability. He urged the President to direct the Minister of Finance and the Coordinator of the Ministry of Economy to release the outstanding funds.
“So what we are asking is that the president intervene and demand that the Minister of Finance and the Coordinator of the Ministry of Economy pay us our money,” he noted.
He criticized the Minister of Finance for alleged incompetence and its impact on the economy. He argued that unpaid contractors slow economic activity and blamed the minister for stagnation.
“He has shown himself to be irresponsible in his duties and incapable of handling such an important position. We are the leaders of the economy. When we pay the contractors, the economy moves. But as you can see, the economy is stagnant. It’s stagnant, nothing is moving,” he said.
Gabari highlighted the human cost of the delay in payments. He spoke of contractors who are sick, hospitalized, or have lost property due to the unpaid contracts, condemning the perceived indifference of the Ministry of Finance.
“Some of our members are dying. Some are in the hospital. Some have lost their property. In response to our disaster, the minister told us that people are dying every day. If contractors are dying, what’s so special about that? Because he’s asking us to die, and we’re asking ourselves to die too,” he stated.
He further warned of escalating consequences if payments are not made promptly. He implied that continued inaction could lead to further economic and social distress, pressing the urgency for immediate government response.
“Before the end of December, by His grace, he will be normal. He will join some of our members who have died,” he said, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the human toll of delayed payments.
Public Relations Officer of the Association, Rotimi Raheem, emphasized the ongoing delay in payment for 2024 contracts. He highlighted that despite repeated protests and official meetings, the contractors have yet to receive their dues.
“We were here, we protested, this is our third time of protesting. We protested about a month ago in National Assembly, in which the leadership of National Assembly met with the President and told the Minister of Finance, instructed the Minister of Finance to pay us. We have submitted our list for about three weeks ago. Up till now our payment has not been made,” he said.
He pointed out that the contractors have been persistent in their demonstrations to secure payment. Raheem noted that the protesters have been camping overnight and engaging directly with officials to press for immediate action.
“We started this protest yesterday and we slept here all through the night. A permanent secretary came out yesterday that our payment will be made before the month end. We told him we are not for that,” he said.
Raheem stressed the urgency for a prompt resolution within 48 hours, explaining that leadership is trying to negotiate a pathway to ensure the funds are released to contractors without further delay.
“We have called our leadership for negotiation this money, that we should give them way in, so that in the next 48 hours our money will be paid. But up till now, we are trying to convince our members to give them the way so that they can enter,” he said.
He further highlighted the accountability of the Finance Ministry in the delay,stressing that the failure to release funds reflects poorly on the ministry and undermines the economic contributions of contractors.
“The leadership of National Assembly met with the President and told the Minister of Finance, instructed the Minister of Finance to pay us. We have submitted our list for about three weeks ago. Up till now our payment has not been made,” he said.
Indigenous Contractors Call on President Tinubu to Pay Owed N500 billion Contract Money to Stop their Untimely Death
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, visited the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari to bolster the morale of troops on the frontline.
Mairari, a strategic town in the state, endured two insurgent attacks in December. On both occasions, the assaults were successfully repelled by troops, averting a significant security breach.
Governor Zulum, who is currently on a resilience-building tour of Northern Borno, commended the officers and men for their bravery and sacrifice, describing them as the backbone of peace and stability in the state.
“Your resilience and commitment inspire confidence in our people,” the Governor stated. “I want to assure you that my administration will continue to provide all necessary logistics and welfare support to boost your morale and enhance your operational effectiveness. Mairari will not fall.”
He emphasised that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and military high command, would ensure a steady supply of operational logistics, mobility support, and welfare packages to keep troops combat-ready.
The Commander of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Suleiman Saidu Tilawan, commended the Governor for his consistent and proactive support.
“The support we receive from the Borno State Government and the Theatre Commander has been exceptional,” he said. “It has translated into improved logistics, enhanced morale, and renewed confidence among our troops to confront threats head-on.”
Governor Zulum also interacted with residents of Mairari, listening to their concerns and commending their courage. He described the community as a symbol of resilience and announced cash assistance to those affected by the recent attacks to ease hardships and support recovery.
…Zulum Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
Earlier in the day, Governor Zulum conducted an inspection of the abandoned Federal Government College in Monguno.
He assessed extensively damaged classrooms, vandalized laboratories, and deteriorating staff quarters, tangible reminders of the insurgency’s impact on public institutions.
The Governor said the purpose of the visit was to assess the damage and identify practical steps for the college’s full rehabilitation. “Education is the foundation upon which any peaceful, prosperous, and resilient society is built,” Governor Zulum stressed. “Rebuilding schools is central to the long-term recovery and stability of our dear state.”
He assured that his administration would spare no effort in restoring the school, with the ultimate goal of ensuring children from Monguno and neighbouring communities can access quality education.
During the inspection, Governor Zulum encountered widows who are taken refuge in some of the abandoned structures and provided them with cash assistance and facilitated the admission of some of their qualified daughters into the Monguno College of Nursing and Midwifery, offering them a pathway to education and future self-reliance.
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
News
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed over 55,000 operatives across the country to ensure public safety and protect critical national assets and infrastructure during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the nationwide deployment as part of measures to strengthen the nation’s security architecture before, during and after the yuletide period.
Audi said the decision became imperative in view of the tendency of criminal elements to exploit festive periods to carry out acts of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency and other crimes.
He stressed that many security threats could be effectively curtailed if citizens embraced the culture of providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies. According to him, proactive intelligence-sharing would aid early intervention and lead to the arrest of individuals who pose threats to national security.
“To prevent crimes rather than react to them, it is imperative for members of the public to trust and collaborate with us by providing credible and timely information that will enable swift action,” the NSCDC boss said.
Audi directed Zonal Commanders to closely monitor formations under their jurisdiction, while State Commandants are to coordinate Area Commands, Divisional Offices and other operational units to ensure effective coverage.
He explained that the deployment involves both covert and overt operations, with full mobilisation of personnel aimed at guaranteeing maximum human security and safeguarding government assets nationwide.
Reaffirming the Corps’ commitment to national peace and stability, the NSCDC helmsman assured Nigerians of enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure a safe environment conducive to development.
He said: “Our unwavering commitment is to ensure a safe and secure environment, and this can only be achieved with the active support of the public.”
The assurance was contained in a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Afolabi Babawale.
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Zulum Visits Frontline Troops in Mairari, Inspects Dilapidated FGC Monguno
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 55,000 Operatives Nationwide, Intensifies Intelligence to Tackle Insecurity
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
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