Contractors shut down Agric Ministry over N17bn debt

Contractors under the aegis of  Concerned Unpaid 2018 Contractors, yesterday, protested at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Abuja over their N17 billion debts.

The protesters blocked the main entrance and carried placards with various inscriptions like:  ‘PMB sack Sabo Nanono’; ‘Agric Ministry pay us now’; ‘PMB, our legacy projects helped your election victory.’

The Coordinator, Chidi Kanu and Onwuora Cyril, while addressing newsmen, claimed that the Ministry had refused to pay them because they refused to give out 10 to 15 percentage to key officers of the Ministry.

They also alleged that the Minister, Sabo Nanono and Permanent Secretary, Abdulkadir Mu’azu, connived to divert the money earmarked for them to pay some illegal contractors who executed projects without due process.

According to him: “The Permanent Secretary decided to institute a racket of his own in a bid to make the most of a seemingly bad situation since he was going to retire soon. The racketeers were therefore to collect between 10 per cent and 15 per cent from willing contractors who are desirous of getting their payments.”

Meanwhile, the Director of Information, Theodore  Ogaziechi, had earlier issued a statement; appealing to them to tarry awhile.

Ogaziechi said: “ On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  I would like to state that the Ministry is not unmindful of the outstanding liabilities owed to contractors and to also affirm that the minister, permanent secretary and the management team share in the agony of the contractors which has informed their agitations.

“The Minister and Permanent Secretary inherited these liabilities and  is in the process of compiling and verifying all outstanding  contract  liabilities.

“While this process is on-going, the  Ministry is appealing for patience, understanding and cooperation of the contractors to enable it complete this process and forward the outcome to Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for further action.”