Kaduna Contractors Appeal for Intervention Over Unpaid N38bn Projects
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Hundreds of contractors engaged under the N38 billion Formal Act Legacy contract in Kaduna State have appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene over the non-payment of completed projects dating back to 2023.
The contractors made the appeal during a joint press briefing held on Saturday alongside Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization, led by its chairman, Daniel Ejembi.
According to the contractors, the prolonged delay in payment has pushed many of them into severe financial hardship, with some allegedly losing homes, businesses, and personal assets due to mounting debts.
The affected projects reportedly include the supply of hospital equipment, medicines, vaccines, borehole drilling, and the construction of primary healthcare centres across several local government areas in Kaduna State.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Muhammed Bulama said many contractors borrowed heavily from banks and private money lenders at high interest rates after government officials directed them to return to site and complete the projects.
“We had to source funds from different places to ensure these projects were completed within the stipulated time. Unfortunately, months after completion, many contractors are yet to receive payment,” Bulama said.
According to him, the financial pressure has left several contractors struggling to meet family responsibilities, repay loans, and sustain their businesses.
“It has affected our dignity and livelihoods. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid and address this matter in the interest of justice and humanity,” he added.
The contractors explained that after a committee review supervised by the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the Commissioner, Sadiq Mamman Lagos, reportedly encouraged contractors to return to project sites and complete their assignments.
Trusting the assurances given, many contractors mobilized resources and completed the work in good faith.
Bulama noted that contractors later organized themselves into a forum after discovering that hundreds of others were facing similar challenges.
“As of today, we have close to 400 contractors on our platform, though the actual figure may be higher,” he stated.
The group also disclosed that some contractors had approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding the matter, with claims currently estimated at about N10 billion among petitioners alone.
While acknowledging that a few contractors had reportedly received partial relief through recoveries linked to ongoing investigations, the forum maintained that the majority remain unpaid.
In his remarks, Ejembi called for transparency and accountability in the handling of the contract arrangement, stressing that citizens who executed government projects in good faith deserved fairness and timely payment.
He also urged the Kaduna State Government to open dialogue with affected contractors and provide clarity on the status of the payments.
The contractors and Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization appealed to the media, civil society groups, and anti-corruption agencies to support efforts aimed at resolving the issue peacefully.
“We believe this matter can be resolved through sincere engagement and timely intervention,” the group said.
