The All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), yesterday, accused the Federal Government of subjecting its members to unbearable economic hardship by failing to effect payment for executed 2024 capital projects worth over N760 billion, despite claims that a warrant for the sum was issued two months ago.

It also accused government officials of prioritising projects that serve their personal interests over those executed by local contractors, describing the situation as “grave injustice” that has crippled many businesses.

National President of AICAN, Jackson Ifeanyi, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, saying the indigenous contractors were pushed into huge debts after executing government projects with borrowed funds based on government’s promise of prompt payment.

Ifeanyi lamented that while the projects had been completed and publicly commissioned, the Federal Government had failed to honour its contractual obligations, leaving many contractors bankrupt.

He said: “We are making it clear today that unless all outstanding payments are made to our members before the end of this week,which also marks (the end of the) month, we shall embark on continuous peaceful end of the month, demonstrations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), displaying our demands and exposing this injustice to the world.

“We strongly advise all our members nationwide to refrain from participating in any 2025 capital or recurrent projects without mobilisation funds being released upfront.”

The body added: “While the National Assembly, who suppose (s) to call the executive to order in this instance and other oversight bodies have (has) turned blind eyes to our plight, we were informed through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation that warrant of Seven Hundred and Sixty Billion Naira (N760 billion) was released without cash backing for about two months till date.”

Ifeanyi called on the media, civil society organisations, and international partners to stand in solidarity with indigenous contractors in their demand for transparency, accountability, and fairness in project financing and execution. Also speaking, AICAN’s Vice President, Fredrick Agada, accused the government of favouring foreign firms over indigenous contractors. He said: “While foreign contractors are cashing out, our members are dying in penury. We will do all that is necessary to fight for our rights.”