The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on Abuja residents to fulfil their tax obligations in order to hold the Nigerian Government accountable.
Wike made this statement during the launch of road upgrades in the Bwari Area Council. He noted that ground rent is the primary source of revenue for funding the state’s infrastructural development.
“Some of you are seated here. Go and pay your ground rent. That is what I use to do all these routes. There’s no oil in Abuja. The only oil you will have is pay your ground rent. So, I will be able to do all these routes.
“Some of you have been saying when you go to Abuja, you miss your road. You miss your road is with money that we use to construct the roads that you no longer know where you are going to. So please, I urge you, let us do our own part. When we do our own part and Government does not do their own part, then you can ask questions.
“Ask us, ask ministers of health city, ask ministers of state health city, what are you doing with all the taxes that we are paying? Ask us, challenge us, in a national debate, say we have not seen anything you are doing with the money.
“We will tell you what we have done and what we continue to do with the money you have paid as your taxes. Because you have a right that when you pay a tax, you have a right to ask questions. What did you do with my money? Nobody will prosecute you for doing that.
“And so we are very proud and happy that our people have seen the difference that indeed there’s an impact of government and governance after the settled towns are consigned.”
He also commended the area council chairmen for their efforts so far. He added that he owes no one an apology for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on local government autonomy.
“I’m happy that all of us have agreed to continue to work for this government, to succeed. Nigerians can see the difference. And let me commend the area council chairman.
“We have never had it so good. Since we were appointed as ministers, we have worked together with them. We have collaborated. And they know. And I’m starting to challenge anybody.
“Since we came as ministers, I don’t even know how much they get. I’m going to have to ask myself. I’m not interested to know. I have my own allocation. They have their own allocation.
“And that is why I supported Mr. President, and I have no apologies to anybody. I have no apologies that there should be autonomy of local government.
“What they do with it, let the people ask them. Let them be accountable to the people. And let them be accountable to the ones that have been given to us.
Wike assured residents that the FCT‘s infrastructure would significantly improve by the end of their tenure in 2027. He stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda is the foundation for this infrastructural development.
“As far as infrastructure is concerned, by the time this administration finishes in 2027, Abuja will be a different thing altogether. And let me say, I saw some of your people who came to the secretariat and gave people some money and they were singing.
“They said Kuje Peji Road, something like that. You know why I was happy? It means that people are now aware that the government is working and everybody wants to have their own cake, to cut their own cake.
“Before, nobody would do that because nothing was working. And now something is going on. Everybody wants to say, look, let me have my own now. Nobody wants to be patient.
“But I can assure you, every area council will be treated very well. You don’t need to worry yourself. The Renewable Agenda is real. You can see a promise made and a promise fulfilled.
“After all, you have lost hope that nobody will do this road. Have you not lost hope? Have you not lost hope before now? But your hope is back. Isn’t that correct? That is the whole thing about the Renewed Hope Agenda.”