The FCT Administration has so far paid N43,395,762,731.93 to local contractors executing various projects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, between January and September this year.
FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who revealed this yesterday in his office, explained that the gesture was in line with the cardinal principles of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Minister recalled that the FCT Statutory Budget was only approved in May 2012, and disclosed that these payments were for second and third quarters respectively.
?In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Muhammad Hazat Sule, Senator Mohammed further revealed that the Administration paid the sum of N21,413,885,417.16 in the second quarter, while it paid out N21,981,877,314.77 for the third quarter of 2012, all totaling N43,395,762,731.93.
The FCT minister explained that some of the jobs done by the local contractors include the provision of infrastructure, building of classrooms, supply of furniture to schools, hospital equipment and other sundry services.
Mohammed specifically noted that all contractors owed N50 million and below with matured bills had been paid by June .
According to him, the FCT Administration is awaiting any matured certificate to effect any more payments as the government was more than ever determined not to allow any local contractor face undue hardship.
He reiterated that the FCT Administration was desirous of changing the face of contract administration in the country and to encourage local contractors to take a lead.