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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The federal government and aggrieved indigenous contractors have been urged to embrace dialogue over the ₦152 billion debt crisis.
The call was made by the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) at a press conference yesterday in Abuja.
On Monday, 19 January, indigenous contractors protested at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over outstanding payments for executed contracts, preventing access to the premises and disrupting official activities.
BAVCCA National Secretary, Tabuko Kennedy, said: “We call on the Federal Government to conclude outstanding verified payments; contractors to embrace dialogue and documentation-driven resolution; the media to report responsibly and avoid inflammatory narratives; and [that] constructive engagement, transparency and respect for institutions remain the best path forward.”
He explained that the blocking of Doris Uzoka Anite, Minister of State for Finance, from accessing her office was needless, as she had been appointed less than one month at the time of the incident.
Kennedy stated that the contractors’ protest predated her assumption of office and was already being handled under the supervision of the Coordinating Minister and relevant government structures, adding that personalising the issue against her was unfair and misleading.
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He said: “It is important to state that Doris Uzoka Anite has held the office of Minister of State for Finance for less than one month at the time of this incident.
“Our findings confirm that the contractors’ protest predated her assumption of office and was already being handled under the supervision of the Coordinating Minister and relevant government structures.
“Personalising the issue against her was therefore unfair and misleading.
“Upon assuming office, the minister appealed to contractors for patience, requested time to fully understand the issues, and committed to working with all relevant institutions to achieve a sustainable resolution, demonstrating good faith and empathy.
“Our findings confirm that the Minister of State for Finance does not unilaterally control payment execution, which involves multiple agencies and statutory processes.
“We found no evidence of bad faith, obstruction or personal misconduct by the minister.”
