The Federal Government's recent pledge to settle all outstanding debts to road contractors by December 20, 2025, is making headlines, but is it merely a distraction from the ongoing chaos? The announcement follows a series of protests by frustrated contractors, who have voiced their anger over unpaid dues and stalled project funding.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement during the reopening of the newly repaired Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State. President Bola Tinubu is apparently "aware" of the situation, and a special committee has been formed to verify these debts, but can we really trust this promise?

Contractors from the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria are claiming that the Federal Government owes a staggering N4 trillion! Their demand for the immediate release of N760 billion,allegedly promised by Minister of Finance Wale Edun,is a blatant cry for urgent action that has gone unanswered for far too long.

In a desperate act to showcase their plight, protesting contractors placed a coffin at the entrance of the Ministry of Finance, symbolizing the hardships and potentially deadly consequences of these financial delays. Is this the government’s idea of a responsive administration?

Umahi's plea to contractors to halt protests, while asserting that verified debts will be settled, feels more like a band-aid than a solution. He admits that some contractors, especially those on the Maraba-Keffi axis, still wait for their payments. But can they really trust that this time will be different?

“Mr. President has assured that you’ll be paid,” Umahi claimed, but how many times have similar promises been made in the past without follow-through? The skepticism is palpable, as the contractors are left wondering if this announcement is just another empty assurance.

In a bid to regain trust, Umahi announced the involvement of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to audit federal road projects. But is this really a step towards transparency, or just a performance to distract from the mounting frustrations?

Moreover, the introduction of an online platform for real-time monitoring of project statuses may sound innovative, but will it actually change the reality for contractors who have gone without pay for months?

The reopening ceremony of the Keffi Flyover, which collapsed due to negligence, was highlighted as a success story with funds released within 24 hours for emergency repairs. But does this quick response overshadow the ongoing failures in project funding and execution?

Despite public criticism about the slow progress on the Abuja–Kano Road, Umahi defended the project by stating that flaws in the original design have been corrected. Yet, the question remains: why weren’t these issues addressed earlier?

While the government touts its commitment to quality and transparency, the reality is that the contractors are left holding the bag, waiting for promises to be fulfilled. As the Federal Government works to appease contractors and restore integrity in road projects, only time will reveal whether these measures are genuine or just another elaborate show.