The Association of Indigenous Contractors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to approve the payment of outstanding certified contracts executed under the National Shopping procurement framework.
The contractors made the appeal in a statement signed by their c tohairman, Mr. Ehuwa Adebola, in Abuja on Tuesday, amid a dispute over remarks allegedly made by the minister during his June 1 monthly media chat on contract awards within the FCTA.
Adebola said the contracts in question were awarded by Mandate Secretaries and heads of agencies within their approved financial and administrative limits, in line with established procurement procedures.
According to him, legal agreements were duly executed between the contractors and the FCTA through the relevant legal departments, while the projects were implemented in accordance with specifications contained in the bills of quantities.
He further stated that the projects had been certified by relevant user departments and forwarded for payment processing through the appropriate authorities.
“The processes required for the award and execution of the contracts under review were duly followed.
“The projects were completed, certified and processed for payment. Therefore, the FCTA has a legal obligation to settle the outstanding liabilities,” he said.
Adebola recalled that the minister, through a circular dated June 13, 2024, directed all FCTA departments, secretariats and agencies to discontinue the use of the National Shopping procurement method.
He said the circular was introduced to strengthen accountability and prevent abuse, but did not declare the procurement method illegal.
According to him, no new contracts were awarded under the framework after the directive, with attention shifting to the processing of completed projects for payment.
He, however, alleged that approval for payment of some completed and certified contracts had not been granted.
The association maintained that contracts awarded before the issuance of the circular should be honoured, provided the projects had been fully executed and certified.
Adebola said the contractors had engaged in several meetings with Mandate Secretaries and heads of agencies involved in the award and administration of the contracts in a bid to resolve the dispute.
According to him, the engagements were aimed at facilitating dialogue with the FCTA on the settlement of outstanding payments for completed and certified projects.
Adebola alleged that the suspension of such payments had disrupted routine services, including desilting of drainage channels, sewage management and waste evacuation in parts of the city.
He also said many contractors were facing financial hardship due to unpaid obligations, resulting in business losses and wider socio-economic pressures.
He appealed directly to the minister to review the outstanding liabilities and authorise payment for all certified projects executed before the discontinuation of the National Shopping procurement method.
“We remain committed partners in the development of the FCT and urge the minister to act in the interest of justice and equity,” he said.
Wike, during his monthly media chat on June 1, said directors within the FCTA were responsible for awarding the contracts under review.
The contractors, however, disputed that position, insisting that the contracts were awarded and approved by Mandate Secretaries and the Coordinator within their delegated powers.
They urged the minister to review police investigation files and official records, arguing that these would establish the actual approving authorities.
