Senate Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has successfully brokered peace between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors following months of disputes over delayed payments and project execution bottlenecks.
The intervention, which culminated in a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Thursday, brought together representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Works, and Housing, as well as leaders of contractors’ associations from across the country.
The contractors had repeatedly accused the government of neglecting indigenous firms in project allocations and payments, threatening mass protests and legal action if their grievances were not addressed.
Kalu, who convened the dialogue, stressed the importance of strengthening local capacity in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector, noting that indigenous contractors play a vital role in job creation and national development.
“Our country cannot continue to sideline local expertise. We must encourage indigenous firms by ensuring fairness, transparency, and prompt settlement of obligations. What we have achieved today is a commitment from both sides to work together in the spirit of partnership,” the Deputy Speaker said.
At the end of the meeting, the Federal Government reportedly agreed to release part of the outstanding payments owed to local contractors, while modalities were set for periodic consultations to avoid future disputes.
Chairman of the Indigenous Contractors Forum, Chief Emmanuel Okorie, hailed Kalu’s intervention, describing it as “timely and patriotic.” He said the resolution would restore confidence among local contractors who had felt marginalized in the execution of federal projects.
Officials of the Ministry of Works also confirmed that a verification process would commence immediately to authenticate claims by contractors and ensure only genuine firms benefit from the settlement.
Observers say the truce could ease tensions in the construction sector and pave the way for faster implementation of key infrastructure projects across the country.
