Police officers in Abuja fired teargas on Tuesday at members of the Coalition of Indigenous FCT Contractors, who were protesting over an alleged unpaid debt of N5.2 billion owed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
It was gathered that the contractors arrived early at the FCTA secretariat and used a truck to block the main gate.
They chanted the name of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and demanded immediate payment for projects they insist were completed and confirmed by officials.
Security personnel sealed off the entrance to stop the protesters from moving into the building.
After several minutes of tension, police officers released several rounds of teargas, scattering the crowd and forcing people to run for safety.
Speaking afterward, coalition leader Chuka Muojindu said the debt of N5,211,503,589 covered jobs such as drain clearing, sewage removal, medical supplies, school furniture, boreholes, and other community projects.
Muojindu claimed that every contract was inspected, approved, and submitted for payment, but that the minister had refused to release the funds.
He also said the delay had taken a heavy toll on members, stressing that some contractors have died over time, while others have suffered severe health challenges or lost their homes and families.
“Every contract was inspected, verified and forwarded for payment but the minister has refused to approve the final release.
“Over five of our members have died. Some developed severe hypertension, some lost their homes and marriages,’ he said.
In recent months, the group has staged repeated protests against Wike and the federal government, insisting that the completed projects must be paid for.
The contractors said they would continue protesting until the government settles the debt.
As of the time of filing this report, the FCTA had not commented on the protest or on the status of the outstanding payments.
KanyiDaily recalls that a violent incident in Adamawa left at least seven women dead after soldiers escorting Brigadier General Amechi Agwu of the 23 Brigade in Yola allegedly opened fire on a crowd of protesters in Lamurde.
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