Reps Deputy Spokesperson Commends Speaker Abbas, Deputy Kalu’s Committee for Swift Resolution of FG–Contractors Dispute

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Philip Agbese, has applauded the efforts of Speaker Dr. Tajudeen Abbas and his deputy, Dr. Benjamin Kalu, in resolving the long-standing impasse between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors.

Earlier in the week, Speaker Abbas, through his Chief of Staff, Prof.

Jakes Dan Azumi, announced the constitution of two ad-hoc committees. One, chaired by Deputy Speaker Kalu, was tasked with addressing the complaints of non-funding of constituency projects by the executive, while the other, led by former Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, was mandated to investigate alleged lopsided recruitment into the National Assembly bureaucracy.

Barely 24 hours after the announcement, Deputy Speaker Kalu convened an expanded meeting involving the Minister of Finance, Dr. Wale Edun; the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Samsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi; and about 100 indigenous contractors from across the country.

Through his intervention, Kalu successfully brokered a resolution, effectively ending the standoff between the Federal Government and the contractors at Thursday’s meeting. As a result, payments to the contractors are scheduled to commence on Monday, September 8, 2025.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, commended Kalu’s committee for swiftly addressing the contractors’ long-standing grievances. He noted that such timely intervention by the House leadership reflects the commitment to grassroots development and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This swift intervention by His Excellency, Kalu-led Committee, has greatly solved more than half of Nigerians’ problems. You know a hungry man is an angry man. These contractors have been agitating for so long, and now relief has come their way. From Monday, they’ll be smiling to the banks,” Agbese stated.

He further praised the leadership of Speaker Abbas and Deputy Speaker Kalu, describing their actions as a hallmark of responsible and responsive governance. According to him, their track record has earned them the confidence and support of all 358 members of the House.

Agbese highlighted the House’s role in averting major crises, including industrial disputes between the Federal Government and ASUU, FG and NLC, and most recently, youth-led agitations that were peacefully resolved through marathon meetings with Speaker Abbas.

“With Tajudeen Abbas heading a strategic arm of government as Speaker, the President can rest assured, knowing that the interests of youths and other stakeholders are well protected at all times,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the new development, Agbese added that payments to contractors will have a ripple effect on families, communities, and the economy at large. He urged contractors and Nigerians to maintain faith in the current leadership of both the legislature and the executive, assuring that the administration remains committed to delivering on the 2024 and 2025 budget promises.