Plenary at the House of Representatives was suspended on Tuesday following a protest by indigenous contractors over unpaid debts reportedly amounting to ₦760 billion.
The contractors, numbering in hundreds, stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja around 8 a.m., barricading the main gates and chanting solidarity songs to demand payment for completed projects.
The protest caused gridlock around the complex, forcing Reps and staff to seek alternative entry points before plenary began briefly.
During the session, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda moved a motion for a one-week suspension of plenary to enable the House leadership engage relevant government agencies and verify the contractors’ claims.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas approved the motion and directed the Committees on Works, Finance, and Appropriations to meet with the Ministry of Finance and other concerned agencies to find a solution.
The protest comes amid growing complaints from local contractors about delayed payments despite budgetary provisions for completed projects.
The House will reconvene after the one-week suspension to receive reports from the committees.
