Senator Abba Moro, who represents Benue South and also serves as the Senate Minority Leader, has raised concerns over the federal government’s failure to pay contractors working on government projects. He warned that this delay could reduce people’s trust in how the national budget is handled.

While speaking at the Senate plenary session on Tuesday, Moro said he was not happy about extending the capital portion of the 2024 budget. He explained that late payments are slowing down important projects all over Nigeria.

He mentioned that the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee is in a difficult position because of the current issues surrounding the budget.

Senator Moro stressed the need for serious action when it comes to planning and spending government money. He said that unless the Ministry of Finance works more effectively, the Senate may become a laughingstock.

He explained that some contractors who had access to money were able to work on projects, but many others could not continue because they hadn’t been paid. This, he said, has caused many government projects to stall.

Moro added that because of the uncertainty around payments, even contractors who have money are now scared to continue working, fearing they may not be paid after finishing the job.

He also questioned how the Senate could consider approving the 2025 budget when most parts of the 2024 budget had not yet been carried out. He stressed that this makes it difficult to move forward in good faith.

The senator concluded by urging lawmakers to help the government succeed but to also speak the truth about the real problems. He suggested that the way payments are handled should be changed and that funds should be released faster. Otherwise, he warned, Nigeria will continue facing the same issues year after year, with past budgets still left unfinished.