Senate President Godswill Akpabio has constituted a six-member committee to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on the persistent issue of unpaid debts owed to contractors by the Federal Government.
The committee, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, was given a one-week deadline to interface with relevant authorities and submit a report on the status of outstanding payments. Other members of the panel are Senators Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), Kawu Sumaila (APC, Kano South), Abubakar Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), Isah Jibrin (APC, Niger East), and Abdullahi Yahaya (APC, Kebbi Central).
The panel has been mandated to immediately commence discussions with officials of the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies responsible for the settlement of contractual obligations. It is expected to provide details on the volume of outstanding debts, steps already taken by the government to address the issue, and the prospects for prompt reimbursement of affected contractors.
The Senate’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the adverse impact of delayed payments on contractors handling federal projects across the country. Many contractors have repeatedly complained that the prolonged non-payment of certified sums has disrupted project execution, increased operational costs, and hampered the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects.
By setting a one-week deadline for the committee’s assignment, the Senate underscored the urgency of resolving the issue and obtaining a clearer picture of the government’s outstanding obligations. Analysts believe that the settlement of verified debts could provide much-needed relief to contractors, stimulate economic activities, and accelerate the delivery of key infrastructure projects nationwide.
The committee’s report is expected to guide further legislative action as the Senate continues to exercise its oversight responsibilities over public expenditure and capital project implementation. Attention is now focused on the outcome of the committee’s engagement with the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Government’s plans for clearing the backlog of contractor debts.