The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns over delays in contractor payments and urged the Federal Government to revert to the previous system that allowed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to make direct payments to contractors. This issue was discussed during an interactive session led by the Senate Committee on Finance, where key officials, including the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, were present. The current centralized payment system was criticized for its inefficiencies, which ostensibly delay project completions and negatively impact ordinary citizens.

Senator Sani Musa, the chairman of the finance committee, highlighted that the government's current financial policies are not effectively reaching the populace, as indicated in submissions from agency heads during ongoing budget defense sessions. He argued that the existing envelope budgeting process should be replaced with a model that prioritizes financing based on specific needs and outcomes, thus making the budget more effective and responsive to the citizens' challenges.

This move by the Senate reflects a larger concern about the effectiveness of Nigeria's fiscal policies and their impact on the economy and public welfare. The discussions suggest that structural changes in the budgeting and payment systems could lead to more efficient project execution and ultimately foster better economic management in the country, aligning government expenditure with strategic goals that directly benefit Nigerians.