Streetlight contractors have staged a peaceful protest over the alleged refusal of Anambra state government to pay outstanding debts amounting to about N900 million for diesel supplied for the powering of streetlights across the state.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the contractors, led by their leader Hon. Nnaemeka Oraka during a protest,
accused Anambra State government of making selective payments, alleging that while a few contractors had been settled, many others were being unfairly sidelined without any explanation.
The group carryed placards at the new Government House in Awka with inscriptions such as “Selective payment is injustice,” the protesters said they had exhausted all official channels to seek redress without any meaningful response from the authorities.
Speaking during the protest, Hon. Oraka claimed that some of their colleagues had died out of frustration since 2022.
Oraka said several letters had been written to relevant government agencies to no avail, adding that the protest was a last resort.
The aggrieved contractors, many of them members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), declared their continued support for the party and Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s reelection project , but lamented that the unpaid debts had pushed their families into hardship.
They said the contracts were executed in 2022 and that no explanation had been given for the delay in payment.
“We are 72 contractors, but only seven have been paid. We don’t understand the criteria for this selective payment. We followed due process and executed legitimate jobs for the government. Yet, we’ve been abandoned.”
“We funded these supplies from our pockets. It was like giving the government a loan. We have families, we owe banks, and some of us have lost everything. Some of our members have even died due to the stress.”
Responding , the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, commended the contractors for being peaceful in the protest, assuring them that the government was not insensitive to their plight.
Ezeajughi asked the contractors to nominate three or four representatives for a follow-up meeting aimed at reaching an amicable resolution.
While the contractors welcomed the assurance, they said they would continue to press for full payment if no concrete action is taken soon.
“I want to assure you that your concerns have been heard. His Excellency is committed to resolving this issue. Your matter has moved to another table from the last time you visited, for attention.
“We will resolve your case amicably after a review,” Ezeajughi said.
