*Say they are facing financial crisis due to unpaid contracts By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna In a heartfelt open letter addressed to His Excelle
*Say they are facing financial crisis due to unpaid contracts
By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
In a heartfelt open letter addressed to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over 400 contractors from Kaduna State have raised an urgent call for intervention regarding their dire financial situation.
The contractors, engaged by Hon. Bashir Ibrahim of Formal Act Legacy Ltd, assert that they are victims of a devastating scheme that has left them financially crippled and in despair.
“Sometime between January 2022 and early 2023, our companies were engaged by one Hon. Bashir Ibrahim, operating in the name Formal Act Legacy Ltd in what was presented as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) partnership involving the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State,” the contractors lament in their open letter. They were awarded contracts worth over 30 billion Naira for essential projects, including drilling water boreholes, constructing and rehabilitating primary healthcare centers, and supplying vital medical equipment.
“Despite diligently executing these contracts in compliance with specifications, the contractors have faced a shocking reality: no payments have been made for over two years. They report that repeated engagements with Hon. Bashir Ibrahim, the Managing Director of Formal Act Legacy Ltd, have yielded only empty assurances regarding payment for completed and verified contracts.
“Hon. Bashir Ibrahim and his subsequent assurances for the payments of all completed and verified contracts, this is yet to be honored,” they emphasize, highlighting the gravity of their situation.
“The repercussions of this financial neglect have been severe. Many contractors have been driven to bankruptcy, with personal and company assets seized by creditors. Some have suffered health crises, and tragically, others have lost their lives under the immense pressure of their financial burdens. As a result, children are out of school, businesses are shuttered, and dignity has been stripped away,” they said.
In their plea for justice, the contractors have sought redress through various institutions, including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Office has shown professionalism in investigating the matter, the contractors stress that justice remains elusive without immediate action to recover payments owed to them and hold accountable those responsible for this fraudulent scheme.
The contractors humbly request President Tinubu’s urgent intervention, appealing to his legacy of reform and commitment to protecting the vulnerable. They also seek the assistance of Governor Uba Sani, emphasizing the involvement of the 23 Local Government Chairmen in the contracts awarded.
“Your Excellency, you are the hope of the people of Kaduna State, who are largely the beneficiaries of the contracts under reference. We acknowledge that you will not stand aside while hundreds of your fellow citizens perish under this weight that they cannot carry,” the contractors implored.
As they await a response, the contractors remain hopeful that their plight will not go unnoticed and that they will soon see a restoration of their livelihoods and dignity. The anticipated intervention from both the President and the Governor is viewed as a critical step towards alleviating their suffering and ensuring justice is served.
In a time when the promise of development hangs in the balance, the voices of these contractors echo a desperate plea for action and accountability.
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