By Chukwudi Obasi
The Indigenous Contractors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ICFCTA), Abuja, comprising over 150 members, have made a passionate appeal to the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to intervene in the payment of contract debt arrears totalling over N5.2 billion.
The group stated that the debt, which has remained outstanding for approximately 18 months, has caused severe financial distress among its members, leading to the reported deaths of three contractors who were unable to afford medical care due to lack of funds.
In a Save Our Souls (SOS) message delivered through their Chief Representative, Alhaji Jamilu H. Gwandu, the contractors appealed to the Minister to exercise compassion and approve the long-awaited payments. He noted that many of the contractors had taken loans with high interest rates to execute the projects and are now being harassed by creditors over unpaid debts.
“Our members are going through untold hardship. Some have become homeless due to their inability to pay rent. Others have withdrawn their children from school, while several have been forced to shut down their businesses and lay off staff,” Gwandu lamented.
He pleaded with Wike to reconsider the FCT Administration’s current stance and forgive any perceived offences committed during their persistent push for payment.
“Honourable Minister, we kneel before you in heartfelt supplication. We offer our sincerest apologies if we acted in ways that may have offended you while pressing for our entitlements. We acted not out of disrespect, but out of desperation and responsibility to our families and staff,” he said.
He further appealed to the Minister to consider the ongoing Easter and Eid-el-Fitr seasons as an opportunity to show mercy to the suffering contractors and their families.
The group clarified that the debts stem from various completed contracts, including building projects, supplies, and other services, duly awarded by the FCT Administration to their members.
Despite their grievances, the ICFCTA praised Wike for the significant infrastructural development witnessed under his leadership. They lauded him for revitalising the capital with visible projects that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We commend you for Abuja’s transformation in the last 20 months. The FCT has not seen this level of activity in recent years. You have indeed lived up to the name ‘Mr. Project.’ We salute your vision and leadership,” the group said.
They concluded by expressing hope that the Minister would extend the same passion he brings to infrastructure development toward resolving the lingering debt crisis affecting indigenous contractors in the territory.
