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By Tracy Moses
A storm is brewing in the National Assembly as the House of Representatives, angered by the Federal Government’s persistent failure to pay contractors for completed projects, has summoned the nation’s top financial brass to account for the crisis.
In a bold move during Thursday’s plenary, the House ordered the appearance of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Yemi Cardoso; Accountant-General of the Federation, Babatunde Ogunjimi; and the Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr. Shaakaa Chira.
The resolution was triggered by a motion passionately moved by Hon. Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Delta State), who painted a grim picture of national stagnation resulting from the government’s refusal to settle verified contractor debts, some dating as far back as October 2024.
Hon. Nnamdi did not mince words as he laid bare the economic chaos unfolding beneath the surface. He decried the Federal Government’s failure to release more than 50 per cent of capital funds earmarked under the 2024 Appropriation Act, calling it a betrayal of public trust and a ticking time bomb.
“Thousands of contractors are gasping for survival. Jobs are vanishing. Constituency projects are abandoned. Communities are in despair. The very foundation of governance is under threat,” Nnamdi thundered.
He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the country could witness widespread unrest, lawsuits from aggrieved contractors, and the collapse of several ongoing public projects.
Moved by the weight of his concerns, the House unanimously resolved to summon the key financial figures to appear on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and give a comprehensive explanation for the ongoing delays. Lawmakers are also demanding a clear and immediate plan to offset the outstanding debts.
In a further show of resolve, the House directed its Committees on Public Accounts and Budget and Economic Planning to launch a sweeping joint investigation into the institutional bottlenecks choking the contractor payment process.
The committees are tasked with exposing lapses in accountability, identifying culpable MDAs, and recommending strong legislative actions to halt the economic hemorrhage.