Reps suspend plenary for one week over contractors’ protest at n’assembly

The house of representatives has suspended plenary for one week following a protest by indigenous contractors at the national assembly.

The house passed the resolution during Tuesday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader.

THE PROTEST

On Tuesday, indigenous contractors protested at the national assembly over non-payment of executed projects, forcing security operatives to close the main gate.

The development compelled staff and visitors to use the secretary to the government of the federation’s entrance, resulting in heavy traffic around the area.

The contractors have been staging protests for months at various ministries, including the ministries of finance and works.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, has held several meetings with the contractors in an effort to resolve the matter.

During one of the sessions attended in-person, Wale Edun, the minister of finance, promised to settle the contractors’ outstanding payments.

THE MOTION

While moving the motion, Chinda said the contractors have not been paid for the work completed in 2024.

Chinda said the house leadership met with President Bola Tinubu, who instructed Edun to “immediately pay the local contractors”.

“The instruction was not implemented several weeks thereafter,” he said.

Chinda said the non-payment of the local contractors has caused “severe hardship” on them, increasing poverty in the country.

He prayed the house to give the federal government to seven days to pay the contractors. The motion was unanimously adopted when Kalu subjected it to a voice vote.

Following that, Kabiru Mai Palace, lawmaker representing Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency of Zamfara, moved an amendment that the house suspend plenary for one week to compel the government to pay the contractors.

Francis Waive, the chairman of the committee on rules and business, seconded the motion, explaining that the national assembly had become inaccessible because of the protest.

“So that we won’t be fighting at the gate to come in [to the national assembly]. So it is sensible fo us to keep away and give the government the time to do the needful,” he said.

Lawmakers voted in support of the motion and the house subsequently adjourned plenary sessions for one week.