Association says projects were legally awarded, executed and certified before FCT’s National Shopping procurement method was suspended.
The Association of Indigenous Contractors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, regarding contracts awarded to indigenous contractors under the National Shopping procurement process.
In a statement released following the minister’s media chat of June 1, 2026, the contractors maintained that the contracts in question were legally awarded by Mandate Secretaries and heads of agencies appointed by the President and operating under the authority of the FCT Administration.
According to the association, the contracts covered goods, services and minor works that fell within the approval limits of the respective secretariats and agencies. The contractors argued that contrary to suggestions that the contracts lacked proper authorization, directors do not possess the power to award contracts, insisting that all approvals were granted by Mandate Secretaries and agency heads acting on behalf of the FCTA.
The group further stated that formal contract agreements were executed through the legal departments of the relevant secretariats, while completed projects were inspected, certified and recommended for payment by user departments before being forwarded through the appropriate administrative channels.
The contractors referenced a circular issued on June 13, 2024, by the FCT Administration directing all departments and agencies to discontinue the National Shopping procurement method. They noted that the circular cited accountability and prevention of abuse as reasons for the policy change and did not declare the procurement process illegal.
According to the association, following the directive, FCTA agencies ceased the award of new contracts under the National Shopping framework and instead focused on processing payments for projects that had already been awarded and completed. However, they alleged that approvals for payment were subsequently withheld.
The association argued that projects awarded and completed before the suspension of the procurement method should be honoured and paid for, describing the outstanding payments as legitimate liabilities of the administration.
The contractors also maintained that the FCT Minister cannot distance himself from decisions taken by political appointees serving under his administration, drawing parallels with decisions taken by ministers on behalf of the President.
As part of efforts to resolve the issue, the association disclosed that it had engaged several top officials of the FCTA, including coordinators, mandate secretaries and agency heads who were involved in the award of many of the contracts. Despite multiple meetings, the contractors said no resolution has been reached.
The group further linked recent incidents of flooding and waste management challenges in parts of Abuja to the suspension of contracts previously handled by indigenous contractors. According to the association, many of the projects involved drainage desilting, sewage maintenance and environmental sanitation works aimed at preventing flooding within the city.
The contractors lamented the financial difficulties allegedly suffered by members as a result of the unpaid contracts, including loss of property, disruption of children’s education and severe economic hardship for affected families.
They appealed to the FCT Minister to review all certified outstanding contracts awarded before the June 2024 policy directive and authorize immediate payment, insisting that such action would be in line with justice, fairness and due process.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of the Federal Capital Territory and expressed hope that the administration would take steps to address the concerns of indigenous contractors.
