Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike disclosed a staggering ₦700 million in revenue generated from the Bola Ahmed International Conference Centre within just three weeks of its renovation.
This significant financial turnaround was highlighted during a Thanksgiving ceremony for completed FCT projects, with Wike contrasting it sharply against the previous operator’s annual payment of only ₦50 million.
He revealed that the former operator, from Adamawa, paid the government a mere ₦50 million annually to run the centre.
“When we went there, Mr. President said, This is an eyesore; this is not the quality; this is not the Nigeria we should present. And we shut the place down,” Wike explained. He highlighted the rapid transformation: “Within 6-7 months, we have rehabilitated the International Conference Centre.”
The minister then presented a striking financial contrast: “The shocking thing? The man who was running it… was paying the government 50 million Naira a year. But in the three weeks that we just renovated it, we have made over 700 million.”
Wike directly linked this alleged mismanagement to those who claim they will “rescue Nigeria,” questioning their credibility in light of such financial discrepancies. “700 million in three weeks. And that is the kind of thing they want. When you say no, you will not allow that. They paint you all kinds of pictures and tell you stories,” he noted, reinforcing his call for public vigilance against what he perceives as misleading narratives.
The FCT minister, however, strongly cautioned residents against political “propaganda and blackmail.”
He asserted that citizens nearly made a “worst mistake” in the 2023 elections, which “would have cost some of us our future.”
“You made a decision that would have cost some of us our future. Ask us questions. We are the politicians,” Wike stated.
He urged the public to be discerning about information, advising them to consult elected officials like senators who are members of their church for accurate insights.
