Reps Tackle Accountant-General over ₦2.4trn Contractors’ Payment, Demand Proof of Visible Projects
Reps Tackle Accountant-General over ₦2.4trn Contractors’ Payment, Demand Proof of Visible Projects
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The House of Representatives has intensified scrutiny of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) following revelations that ₦2.4 trillion was recently disbursed to contractors executing federal projects across Nigeria. Lawmakers warned that Nigerians would no longer accept a situation where trillions are spent without corresponding, verifiable infrastructure on the ground.
At a heated session on Monday, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Budget Implementation, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, issued a firm directive to the Accountant-General, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, demanding a detailed and verifiable breakdown of every naira released, the contractors involved, and the specific projects executed.
Lawmakers Question “Phantom Projects”
According to Akahi News findings, the lawmakers expressed disappointment that despite the staggering payments, citizens are still confronted with dilapidated roads, abandoned hospitals, uncompleted schools, and other unfulfilled promises.
“When contractors blocked the Finance Ministry over unpaid arrears, the House intervened to restore order. But ₦2.4 trillion is not pocket change,” Kalu declared in frustration. “Nigerians must see real projects for this kind of money. No more phantom projects. No more paper-based certificates for jobs that do not exist.”
The Deputy Speaker described as “wicked” the actions of contractors allegedly claiming completion certificates for hospitals without beds or classrooms while children still learn under trees.
Background: Protest by Contractors Over Outstanding Payments
The current probe comes barely a week after contractors stormed the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, barricading the premises over unpaid arrears amounting to trillions of naira.
Following the protest, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed Hon. Kalu to lead an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter. At its inaugural meeting on September 4, 2025, the committee brokered a government commitment to release 25 per cent of the outstanding debt to aggrieved contractors, with a follow-up review fixed for September 21.
Accountant-General’s Office Confirms ₦2.4tn Disbursement
On Sunday, the Accountant-General’s office revealed that ₦2.4 trillion had already been released, leaving an outstanding balance of about ₦160 billion. It further disclosed that the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, had approved another ₦760 billion in warrants and cash backing, raising the federal government’s total commitment to approximately ₦3.1 trillion.
Despite this, the lawmakers insist on a line-by-line reconciliation of payments made to contractors to ensure transparency and accountability.
Committee Demands Full Disclosure, Sets Fresh Review Date
Speaking to journalists after Monday’s tense session, Hon. Kalu confirmed that the committee had requested a verified spreadsheet detailing all disbursed funds, the beneficiaries, and the corresponding projects to reconcile the government’s claims with contractors’ complaints.
“If ₦2.4 trillion has been released and contractors are still crying foul, something is seriously wrong,” Kalu stated firmly. “This House will not hesitate to expose discrepancies and hold everyone accountable—contractors, officials, or agencies—whoever is found wanting.”
The committee has now fixed its next review session for October 5, 2025, when fresh updates from both government officials and contractors will be presented.
Analysts React to Lawmakers’ Intervention
Public policy analysts speaking with Akahi News said the House of Representatives’ intervention is timely, given rising public anger over perceived financial mismanagement in the execution of federal projects.
Dr. Emmanuel Okeke, a development economist, noted:
“The insistence on verifiable data is crucial. For too long, Nigerians have witnessed repeated budget allocations without tangible results. If ₦2.4 trillion cannot be traced to real, completed projects, there must be consequences.”
What Happens Next
With the October 5 review session fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Accountant-General’s office and the contractors to present verifiable evidence of work done.
According to Akahi News analysis, the coming weeks could expose long-standing loopholes in Nigeria’s contract execution process and possibly lead to tougher legislative oversight on future budget releases.
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