Caterers under the School Feeding Programme in the Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region have given the government a one-week ultimatum to pay their outstanding arrears or face consequences.

The aggrieved caterers say they have not been paid for the second term of the 2024–2025 academic year, despite several assurances from district authorities. Out of 55 caterers, only 42 have received payment, leaving 13 still unpaid.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Solomon Kakiba, spokesperson for the affected caterers, expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s neglect and broken promises.

“We worked for it; the government must pay! If not, there will be consequences,” he warned.

Mr. Kakiba said repeated engagements with the District Chief Executive, Isaiah Dordoe, and other officials have yielded no results. He added that the delay in payments has plunged many caterers into debt and hardship.

“We’ve met with the DCE several times, and each time we’re told the issue will be resolved soon. Yet nothing has happened. Our debts are piling up, and we can’t keep feeding children when we haven’t been paid,” he lamented.

Some of the affected caterers told MyJoyOnline that they may resort to blocking access to schools if their arrears are not cleared within the one-week deadline.

The School Feeding Programme, which provides one hot meal a day for pupils in public basic schools, has faced recurring challenges with delayed payments to caterers across several districts.

Government has yet to respond to the Nkwanta North caterers’ ultimatum.