In a video that is trending on social media, Starnews NG reports on Wednesday that Adelebola Benson Efowa, the chairman of FCTA Indigenous Contractors, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other prominent figures in Nigeria regarding the non-payment of outstanding contractual obligations.
“Good day to everyone. My name is Adelebola Benson Efowa,” he began, addressing a wide audience that included government officials, civil society organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians. “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the media, and the international communities. Please help us appeal to the Minister of FCTA, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to please pay us our outstanding contractual obligations.”
Efowa went on to express the dire financial state of the contractors’ families. “Our families are suffering. Our children cannot return to school,” he lamented. He detailed that the jobs were “legally awarded to us by FCTA,” confirming that the agreements were signed with the legal department and that the projects were executed under the supervision of the monitoring department.
Despite fulfilling their contractual obligations, he alleged that contractors have faced significant delays in payment, with no funds received for over two years. Efowa stated, “The minister stopped the payment according to the Treasury department.” He highlighted that their numerous appeals, including a personal letter to Minister Wike, have gone unanswered.
In a dramatic turn, based on the transcript of the video done by Starnews NG, Efowa revealed that after reaching out to the minister, he was shocked to find himself under arrest and detention. “I was detained for over seven days and later charged to court,” he disclosed, emphasising that the police had investigated the projects and found them satisfactory.
“I wonder why we are being subjected to this kind of punishment even in our own nation, where we all live and also pay taxes. It cannot continue like this,” he stated firmly.
Efowa and his fellow contractors have resolved to take a stand against the situation, proclaiming, “If the minister is going to kill us, let him kill all of us and bury us in front of his gate. But before that, we are pleading with everyone to help us talk to him to pay this money.”
He clarified that their grievance is not politically motivated, stating, “We don’t have any issues with this minister. We are not having any political issues with him.”
As the situation unfolds, many are awaiting a response from Minister Wike regarding the serious allegations and the contractors’ pleas for support. The public’s attention now turns to the actions of both the government and the contractors in resolving this pressing issue.
Meanwhile, as of press time, despite the significance of the video, Wike has not issued an official statement or personally addressed the matter, Starnews NG reports.
WATCH VIDEO HERE:
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