Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a striking demonstration of frustration and desperation, members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) staged a dramatic protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance earlier today, blocking its entrance with a coffin to demand payment of over N500 billion allegedly owed to them by the federal government for completed projects. The coffin, carried by protesting contractors, was intended as a powerful symbol of the human cost of the unpaid debts, with the association claiming that the prolonged financial neglect has contributed to the untimely deaths of some of their members.
The protest, which drew attention from passersby, officials, and the media, was both a physical and symbolic manifestation of the deep grievances that have long simmered within Nigeria’s local contracting community. Contractors voiced their frustration over the failure of the government to honor contractual obligations despite timely completion of projects, emphasizing that the delayed payments have led to severe financial strain, indebtedness, and, in extreme cases, tragic outcomes among families dependent on the earnings of affected contractors.
Representatives of the association engaged with ministry officials amid the tense standoff, explaining that the protest was not intended as a disruption for its own sake but as a necessary appeal for urgent intervention at the highest levels of government. The coffin, prominently displayed at the ministry’s entrance, served as a stark reminder of the perceived life-and-death consequences of systemic delays in settling contractors, reflecting the broader challenges faced by indigenous contractors across the country.
Observers noted that this protest comes against a backdrop of repeated appeals by local contractors for timely payments, many of which have gone unanswered, resulting in mounting frustration and loss of confidence in government processes. The demonstration highlighted not only the significant financial sums at stake but also the emotional and social toll on the contractor community, whose livelihoods have been severely compromised by bureaucratic inertia.
As the standoff continues, all eyes are on government authorities to respond swiftly to the contractors’ demands. The protest is widely expected to generate public and political pressure for immediate action, with calls for the release of funds and assurance that indigenous contractors will no longer bear the financial brunt of unfulfilled government obligations. The dramatic nature of the protest underscores the urgency of addressing long-standing payment delays and restoring trust between the federal government and the country’s local contracting sector.
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