By Aderogba George
The Association of Indigenous Contractors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, to approve payment of outstanding certified contracts executed under the National Shopping procurement framework.
The association made the appeal in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Ehuwa Adebola, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The contractors were reacting to remarks allegedly made by the minister during his monthly media chat on June 1 concerning contracts awarded to indigenous contractors in the FCT.
Adebola said the contracts were awarded by Mandate Secretaries and heads of agencies within their approved financial and administrative limits, in line with established procurement procedures.
According to him, legal agreements were signed between the contractors and the FCTA through the relevant legal departments, while the projects were executed in accordance with specifications contained in the bills of quantities.
He added that the projects were duly certified by the relevant user departments and forwarded for payment processing through the appropriate authorities.
“The processes required for the award and execution of the contracts under review were duly followed.
“The projects were completed, certified and processed for payment. Therefore, the FCTA has a legal obligation to settle the outstanding liabilities,” he said.
Adebola recalled that the minister, through a circular dated June 13, 2024, directed all FCTA departments, secretariats and agencies to discontinue the use of the National Shopping procurement method.
He said the circular was issued to strengthen accountability and prevent abuse, and did not declare the procurement method illegal.
According to him, no new contracts were awarded under the framework after the directive, while attention shifted to processing completed projects for payment.
He, however, alleged that approval for payment of some completed and certified contracts had not been granted.
The association maintained that contracts awarded before the issuance of the circular should be honoured, where the projects had been completed and certified.
Adebola said the contractors had held several engagements with Mandate Secretaries and heads of agencies involved in the award and administration of the contracts in an effort to resolve the matter.
According to him, the engagements were aimed at facilitating dialogue with the FCT Administration on the settlement of outstanding payments for completed and certified projects.
Adebola alleged that the suspension of such payments had affected routine activities, including desilting of drainage channels, sewage management and waste evacuation in parts of the city.
He also said many contractors had suffered financial hardship due to unpaid contracts, resulting in business losses and other socio-economic challenges.
He appealed to the minister to review the outstanding liabilities and authorise payment for all certified projects executed before the discontinuation of the National Shopping procurement method.
“We remain committed partners in the development of the FCT and urge the minister to act in the interest of justice and equity,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Wike, during his monthly media chat on June 1, said directors within the FCTA were responsible for awarding the contracts under review.
The contractors, however, disagreed, insisting that the contracts were awarded and approved by Mandate Secretaries and the Coordinator within their delegated powers.
They urged the minister to review police investigation files and official records, which they said would establish the actual approving authorities.
Edited by Tosin Kolade
