The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, on Monday said that timely intervention by President Bola Ahm...
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, on Monday said that timely intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prevented what could have escalated into a major crisis in the National Assembly over delays in the release of funds for 2024 and 2025 capital projects.
Agbese made the remark against the backdrop of last week’s protest by indigenous contractors who disrupted activities at the National Assembly to express anger over non-payment for projects executed since 2024.
During a closed-door session last Wednesday, lawmakers raised concerns about poor budget funding and demanded full implementation of the capital component of the 2024 Appropriation Act. They also urged the federal government to ensure the prompt commencement of the 2025 capital budget to avoid delays in ongoing projects.
The protest, organised by members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), saw contractors block the main entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja, heightening tensions among lawmakers. Protesters lamented that delayed payments had forced many to sell personal properties or shut down their businesses.
Earlier, the House had resolved to suspend sittings for seven days due to delayed contractor payments and funding shortfalls for capital projects, particularly constituency projects. However, the decision was later rescinded following what lawmakers described as positive interventions from the Executive.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Agbese described the past few days in the House as “challenging but instructive,” noting that calm had been restored after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and other principal officers took decisive steps to address lawmakers’ grievances.
“The frustration expressed by some colleagues was genuine. Many projects across the country, especially constituency projects, have stalled due to the non-release of funds. Indigenous contractors who executed 2024 capital projects were also affected,” he said.
Agbese explained that the Speaker and principal officers immediately engaged the Presidency to prevent the situation from escalating. “The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was decisive. He directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to commence immediate payments to contractors. Some of these payments have already begun. This action helped douse rising tempers and restore normalcy within the House,” he said.
He commended Speaker Abbas for handling the matter with maturity. “Our members have absolute confidence in Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. He has demonstrated that he is a truthful and patriotic leader who believes in dialogue, not division. The House remains united in its resolve to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Agbese said.
Clarifying that the delay in budget implementation was not the fault of the Tinubu administration, Agbese noted, “This administration inherited uncompleted projects and past budget obligations that must be implemented. The delay cannot be blamed on President Tinubu. On the contrary, his swift response demonstrated his commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility.”
He urged the Executive to expedite implementation of the capital component of the 2025 approved budget to sustain development and public confidence.
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