Wike Reacts as FCTA Contractors Protest Over Alleged N5bn Debt

Local contractors on Monday staged a protest at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) headquarters in Area 11, Abuja, demanding payment of an alleged N5.2 billion debt.

The contractors claimed the arrears date back at least two years, accusing the administration of failing to settle outstanding obligations.

In response, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), dismissed the claims, insisting that the minister did not award the contracts in question.

According to Olayinka, when Wike assumed office, he was presented with a backlog of payments totaling about N10 billion for jobs categorized as “shopping” or minor procurements. He said the minister approved and paid over N5 billion in December 2023, followed by another N5 billion in January 2024, effectively clearing the outstanding bills.

“Three months later, another bill of over N15 billion was presented, also under minor procurement. The minister then asked: who approved these contracts? He did not award them,” Olayinka stated.

He questioned how debts of more than N15 billion could accumulate within such a short period without ministerial approval, describing the contractors’ claims as dubious.

“From N15 billion to N8 billion and now N5 billion, the key issue remains: on whose authority were these contracts awarded? Those are the questions they must answer,” he said.