Some contractors handling federal government projects have raised the alarm over alleged moves by Minister of Finance Wale Edun to engage in selective payment specifically favouring contractors linked to high-ranking government officials.
This is coming amidst speculations that some members of the national assembly are pushing for a no-confidence vote and the immediate sacking of the minster.
A member of the House of Representatives who prefers anonymity said “yes, there is plan to move for his sack. He is a disservice to this government, our party and the nation. He has grounded the nation to a halt”
It will be recalled that the contractors had lamented over the non-release of funds for capital projects, insisting that the move was hampering economic growth.
Only last week, an investment analyst, Mahmood DanAudu, chided Minister Edun for the poor capital budgetary releases, insisting that they pose a serious threat to economic development.
DanAudu noted that because contractors were not paid, they abandoned sites, and projects are not being commissioned even though the present administration is a few weeks away from its midterm.
However, findings revealed that following their calls, out of the over N1 trillion owed contractors, the Minister of Finance has concluded plans to release a paltry N100bn to be paid to some select contractors, forgetting many others who have abandoned sites due to non-payment of funds.
Speaking to journalists on behalf of the aggrieved contractors, Umole Uzeagbe lamented that Minister Edun asked some high ranking government and political leaders to send him the list of those to be paid this N100bn but ‘some lawmakers who got wind of his moves asked him to resist the temptation of favouring some at the expense of others’.
Uzeagbe noted that despite the lawmakers’ advice, Minister Edun appears bent on indulging in selective payment, describing his action as a recipe for chaos and a total loss of confidence.
“He is busy calling those whom he feels are important to send him names of companies to be paid, neglecting the contractors that have filed all the necessary documents for payment since October 2024.
“We are reaffirming our call on the president to sack this man who is not deserving of being Minister of Finance. We are also calling on the president to be fair to all contractors. A situation where only Chagoury is being paid among all those handling projects for the government is, to say the least, most unfair.
“Edun is the worst finance minister we have ever had. He is giving this administration a very bad name. He should be relieve of his appointment and made to go and serve as Commissioner in Lagos” he added.
