The Ministry also raised concerns over what it described as intimidation and harassment of its staff, calling on contractors to respect institutional processes and personnel.
The Federal Ministry of Finance has announced that it has disbursed a total sum of ₦152 billion to contractors for verified contracts, insisting that all payments were made strictly in line with existing laws and financial regulations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said every payment undergoes “rigorous verification” to ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of taxpayers’ funds.
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, on Thursday, acknowledged that delays in payments may have caused financial strain for some contractors, but assured that it remains open to dialogue and engagement aimed at resolving outstanding issues.
The Ministry also raised concerns over what it described as intimidation and harassment of its staff, calling on contractors to respect institutional processes and personnel.
She said officials of the Ministry have continued to demonstrate “unwavering dedication” to their duties despite facing varying degrees of pressure.
"I wish to confirm that the Federal Ministry of Finance (@FinMinNigeria) has disbursed a total of N152 billion to contractors for verified contracts. Every payment undergoes rigorous verification in accordance with extant laws and regulations, ensuring the protection of taxpayers’ funds and upholding accountability and transparency.
"The Ministry acknowledges the financial pressures that delays in payment may have placed on contractors. We remain committed to continuous dialogue and engagement, seeking effective resolutions to all conflicts.
"We also call on all contractors to respect the processes and personnel of the Ministry, who have shown unwavering dedication despite facing varying degrees of intimidation and harassment," she stated.
Reiterating its commitment to due process, the Ministry assured contractors that all legitimate payment requests would continue to be processed fairly, consistently, and in line with established procedures.
"The Ministry assures all contractors of our ongoing support and reiterates that all payment requests will continue to be processed in line with due process, timely, and consistently.
"We remain committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect, transparency, and accountability," the statement added.