Says agitation for unpaid wages not politically inclined or sponsored
As Group not a political group, but genuine contractors
Urges NASS to ensure committee, FMARD immediately reviews budget
The Concerned Unpaid 2018 Contractors of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has decided to suspend all protest, while issuing a 14 day ultimatum to NASS, committee and the leadership of the Ministry to review all budget.
The contractors during a press briefing held at the NUJ National Secretariat on Wednesday, disclosed that the group has decided to sheathe swords for the time being due to the recent intervention and engagements by the National Assembly members and the leadership of the Ministry.
It said: “You will recall that the concerned unpaid 2018 contractors of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a press release dated 11th March, 2020 to bring to the attention of the Federal Government and the general public to the injustice meted to us by the Ministry headed by the Honourable Minister Sabo Nanono and the Permanent Secretary Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu.
“This press release is a follow up to the various meetings we had with the Honourable Minister, The Permanent Secretary and other top officials of the Ministry which have been taken with little seriousness.
“Our recent activities which included protest and picketing of the Ministry attracted the attention of the National Assembly and we were invited by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Agriculture.
“In view of our recent engagements with both the National Assembly members and the leadership of the Ministry, we clearly wish to state that All Contracts awarded to the members of the concerned 2018 contractors of the Ministry were duly completed on time (within 12 to 15 weeks) and have not been paid for despite issuance of job completion and preparation of some vouchers since May/June 2019.
“We are not a political group and do not represent any political interest neither are we being sponsored by anybody or any group as been alleged in some quarters. We are genuine contractors being owned by the Ministry for 2018 Contractors. It is pertinent to state clearly that our interest is nothing other than the payment of our money.”it added.
However leadership of the group, thanking the National Assembly and President Buhari for unwavering fight against corruption, revealed that all claims by the ministry that their projects are still on-going are false and very untrue, stating that such claims would be an indictment on the Ministry since it issued job certificates and are preparing vouchers for on-going projects. The group clearly revealed that none of their projects was ongoing as at the time Dr. Umar Bello Tambuwal left the ministry.