Wike denies awarding contracts as FCTA local contractors protest ‘N5bn debt’

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has denied awarding N5 billion contracts to local contractors.

On Monday, local contractors reportedly staged a protest at the entrance of the FCT administration (FCTA) complex at Area 11, Abuja, to demand payment of a N5.2 billion debt.

Some of the contractors said the debt was owed over a period of two years.

Reacting to the development, Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT minister, said the contractors should present evidence that the contracts in question were awarded by Wike.

“In December 2023, a bill of about N10 billion was presented to the minister as outstanding payment on jobs done by local contractors before he assumed office, they called it ‘shopping’ or minor procurement,” the statement reads.

“The same December 2023, payment of over N5 billion was approved by the minister, and this was made immediately.

“In January 2024, another more than N5 billion was paid, clearing the over N10 billion outstanding bills.

“Three months after, another bill of over N15 billion was presented as outstanding payment on this same minor procurement.

“Then, the minister raised question as to who approved the contracts, because he didn’t award such contracts.

“How can you claim to have carried out jobs worth over N15 billion within three months, without the approval of the minister?

“How can you accumulate over N15 billion debt on contracts within three months?

“From N15 billion to N8 billion and now N5 billion, the question is, on whose authority was the contracts awarded? Those are the questions they have to answer first.

“Those are the questions they have to answer first.”