Kalu Brokers Peace: FG to Pay Indigenous Contractors Starting Monday

In a major breakthrough, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has successfully negotiated an end to the lingering standoff between the Federal Government and over 80 indigenous contractors across Nigeria. The resolution follows a marathon meeting held on Thursday, which brought together key stakeholders including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, and top government officials.

The contractors had staged protests in Abuja over months of unpaid debts for work completed on federal projects, amounting to billions of naira. Appointed Chairman of the House Special Committee on Budget Implementation, Kalu convened an expanded dialogue forum that lasted more than four hours. At the meeting’s conclusion, Kalu announced that all parties agreed on a mutually beneficial strategy to clear the payment backlog systematically.

Finance Minister Wale Edun praised the Deputy Speaker’s diplomatic intervention, confirming that payments will commence on Monday, September 8, 2025, right after the Central Bank reopens following the weekend holiday. The Accountant-General reiterated the government’s commitment, assuring that the payment process is ongoing and will continue steadily.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the outcome and pledged to call off their protests, hailing the effectiveness of dialogue in resolving disputes. Kalu also stated that the stakeholders will reconvene on September 21 to review progress and address any further issues.

The peaceful resolution marks an important step in restoring confidence among contractors, ensuring continuity of government projects, and demonstrating the commitment of the current leadership to meeting financial obligations promptly and orderly.

This development has been welcomed by industry stakeholders and is expected to improve the overall economic climate by supporting local enterprises engaged in federal projects.