**Senate Gives Federal Government an Ultimatum: Fix the Payment System or Else** The Nigerian Senate has sent a strong message to the Federal Government: fix the payment system for contractors or face the consequences. This warning was issued by the Senate Committee on Finance during a meeting with the Economic Management Team led by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. At the meeting, the lawmakers expressed concern that the current centralized payment system has failed and is causing undue hardship for many contractors who have executed projects but are yet to be paid. The Senate wants the Federal Government to return to the old system, where Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) can pay contractors directly for work done. Senator Sani Musa, who chairs the committee, stated that the current system has not been beneficial to ordinary Nigerians as intended. He emphasized the need to replace the envelope budgeting system with a priority-based model, which would allow for more strategic prioritization of government spending. The Senator also called for a return to a strict annual budget cycle, with a clear plan for the fiscal year and a realistic assessment of government spending. According to him, this would ensure that government policies have a tangible impact on the lives of Nigerians. Meanwhile, members of the Economic Management Team assured the committee that the 2026 budget is looking positive, with a focus on growth-enhancing projects and prioritization of spending. However, the Minister of Finance clarified that the country's debt profile is not entirely due to new borrowing, but rather inherited debt and exchange rate adjustments. The Senate's warning to the Federal Government is clear: fix the payment system and prioritize spending to benefit Nigerians. Will the government heed this call, or will the status quo continue? Only time will tell.