Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep displeasure over the backlog of unpaid funds owed to federal contractors across ministries and agencies. The President has therefore set up a ministerial committee to urgently address the issue and recommend immediate solutions for settling the debts.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President at the State House, Abuja. Onanuga emphasized the President’s grave displeasure regarding the situation, stating, “The President expressed very grave displeasure about the fact that contractors are being owed money.”
He further explained that the President was visibly upset about the issue and consequently initiated the formation of a committee comprising approximately six ministers to address the problem of securing funds to pay the contractors. Onanuga mentioned that the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement briefed the council on the volume of pending payments, revealing that about 2,000 contractors are currently being owed money, a fact that contributed to the President’s discontent.
The committee, tasked with identifying solutions, securing funds, and reporting back to the President, includes the Minister of Finance, Minister of Economic Planning, DG Budget, Minister of Works, Minister of Education, Minister of Housing, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the FIRS Chairman. Onanuga conveyed that the President directed the members to work swiftly and collectively, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
He concluded by noting that all members of the committee are expected to convene, deliberate on the issue, and subsequently present their findings and solutions to the President. Onanuga reiterated that President Tinubu was unequivocal in his dissatisfaction and urgency regarding the payment of contractors.