National Assembly Locked Down as Contractors Demand N3tn Payment from FG

Operations at the National Assembly were disrupted on Wednesday as hundreds of aggrieved local contractors, lawyers, and civil society activists barricaded key entry and exit points, protesting an alleged N3 trillion debt owed to them by the Federal Government.

The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill along the Assembly gate and Federal Secretariat axis in Abuja, forcing lawmakers, staff, and visitors to seek alternative routes. Plenary and committee activities were also affected, with some legislators unable to access the complex.

Holding placards and chanting slogans, the contractors vowed to maintain the blockade “for as long as it takes” until payments for completed government projects are received.

Jackson Nwosu, National President of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, explained that years of unfulfilled promises left the group with no choice but to protest.

“We are here because the Federal Government has refused to pay contractors. These are capital projects already executed, and we have been pushing for payment since 2024. Our association alone is owed over N3 trillion,” Nwosu said.

He added that several meetings with senior officials—including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Accountant General, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu—failed to resolve the issue. “We were told the problem lies with the Presidency. A senator assured us yesterday that our matter would be addressed. Until we see payment alerts, we will continue this blockade,” he said.

The Wednesday protest followed a similar demonstration on Tuesday, which forced lawmakers to suspend plenary. In response, the House of Representatives gave Finance Minister Wale Edun and other officials a seven-day ultimatum to clear the outstanding payments.

On Wednesday, lawmakers held a closed-door executive session lasting over two hours to discuss the escalating unrest and its potential impact on legislative business, before relocating to Room 028 for further deliberations. No official briefing was issued to journalists.

The contractors, owed for projects tied to the 2025 fiscal year capital releases, accused authorities of repeatedly shifting payment timelines despite verification and clearance processes being completed. Wednesday’s blockade, the second consecutive day of protests, caused traffic gridlock across the Three Arms Zone, prompting calls for urgent intervention. The House is expected to reconvene later once a resolution is reached behind closed doors.