Contractors to receive verified payments as FG promises no project will be left unfinished
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the completion of ongoing road infrastructure projects funded under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Tax Credit Scheme, assuring contractors that no project will be abandoned and no payment lost.
According to a press release by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Works, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, gave the assurance during a high-level meeting with affected contractors at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on July 31, 2025.
Engr. Umahi, speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed the administration’s resolve to sustain funding for all active projects. He directed all contractors and field officers to return to their sites immediately and submit revised documentation for critical corridors, such as the Lokoja–Benin Dual Carriageway, within seven days.
While addressing concerns over unpaid certificates, Umahi clarified that most NNPCL-funded projects remain unaffected. He assured contractors, especially those working on roads earmarked for concession, that all verified entitlements would be settled before any handover to private concessionaires.
He also emphasized the need for accurate reconciliation of certified amounts with received payments, including VAT, other taxes, and the 5% retention fee. The Ministry, he said, is actively working with NNPCL to clear all outstanding certificates earned before August 1, 2025.
The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu has approved a new sustainable funding model for NNPCL projects, effective from August 1, ensuring continuity across all sites.
To strengthen oversight and accountability, a committee comprising directors from key departments—including Highways, Bridges and Design, Public Procurement, and Press—has been set up to verify submitted project data. Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works, and contractors will also embark on physical inspections across the six geopolitical zones, accompanied by members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Engr. Umahi ordered that all projects exceeding ₦10 billion be listed separately from smaller contracts for better transparency. He warned that unresolved financial discrepancies after the seven-day deadline would be escalated.
Calling on all stakeholders to treat their assignments as part of a national mission, Umahi emphasized that the Renewed Hope Administration is building with integrity and accountability. “Let the public, the press, and the National Assembly inspect our work and judge for themselves,” he said.
