Police officers on Tuesday dispersed members of the Coalition of Indigenous FCT Contractors with teargas as they staged a protest over an alleged N5.2 billion debt owed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The contractors arrived early at the FCTA secretariat in Abuja, blocking the main entrance with a truck and chanting the name of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike while demanding immediate payment for projects they claim were fully executed and verified.
Security operatives barricaded the entrance, preventing the protesters from entering the premises. After a brief standoff, police officers fired several teargas canisters, sending the crowd running.
Speaking after the incident, Chuka Muojindu, leader of the coalition, said the N5,211,503,589 debt covers various public works, including drain desilting, sewage evacuation, medical supplies, school furniture, borehole drilling and other community projects.
He insisted all contracts were inspected, verified and recommended for payment, accusing the minister of refusing to authorise the final release of funds.
“Every contract was inspected, verified and forwarded for payment, but the minister has refused to approve the final release,” Muojindu said, adding that some members had died or suffered severe hardship due to the prolonged delay.
The contractors have repeatedly protested in recent months, accusing Wike and the federal government of withholding payments for completed projects.
On Sunday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) threatened to mobilise its supporters for nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with the contractors and pensioners allegedly owed billions of naira.
As of press time, the FCTA had yet to respond to inquiries about the incident or the status of the outstanding payments.
The contractors vowed to continue their protests until the government clears the backlog.