The Federal Ministry of Finance has disbursed ₦152 billion to contractors for the settlement of verified government contracts.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite in a statement on her X page on Thursday.
She underscored the government’s commitment to clearing outstanding debts while maintaining a strict “verification-first” policy to safeguard public resources.
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The minister emphasised that the multi-billion-naira release was not arbitrary.
“Every payment followed a stringent verification process in alignment with existing laws and financial regulations.”
This approach, according to her, is vital for ensuring payments are only made for value received, maintaining a clear audit trail for all government expenditures and upholding the integrity of the Federal Government’s financial systems.
While the ministry acknowledged the significant financial strain that payment delays have placed on businesses and contractors, Uzoka-Anite assured stakeholders that the government is listening to their concerns.
“We remain committed to continuous dialogue and engagement, seeking effective resolutions to all conflicts,” the minister stated, highlighting an open-door policy for resolving payment disputes.
In a notable shift, she also addressed the working conditions of its staff.
The minister called on contractors to exercise patience and respect the administrative processes and personnel of the Ministry.
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She revealed that staff members have remained dedicated to their duties despite facing “varying degrees of intimidation and harassment” from some quarters.
She assured all contractors that ongoing support will continue.
The minister reaffirmed that all future payment requests will be handled in line with due process, in a timely and consistent manner.
By balancing the rapid release of funds with strict regulatory compliance, she noted that the ministry aims to stimulate the economy while ensuring that “due process” remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s fiscal operations.
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