Wike To Abuja Residents: No Taxes, No Infrastructure
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told wealthy men in the nation’s capital not to expect infrastructural developments if they don’t pay their taxes.
Wike said this on Tuesday, February 6, during the flag-off of 57 km road resurfacing projects, spanning 189 roads in the Maitama District of the FCT.
The minister, who said there had been initial pushback on his move to generate revenue through the payment of taxes, stated that he would not be deterred, but would continue to do what was right.
Wike said: “What we’re doing now is not within the area councils. This is the big men’s place. But when they tell them to pay tax now, they’ll begin to complain. They are happy the road is being resurfaced, but ask them where the money will come from if not tax.
“When we started to see how we could get more tax and more revenue, there was nothing they did not do to fight me. I’m not worried. I will not shake. I will do what is right. So, don’t expect to have good roads without paying tax.”
The minister also apologised to residents in the Maitama District for the inconveniences caused by the road resurfacing projects, noting that there could be no development without some sacrifices.
“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconveniences, but after that inconvenience, you will benefit from it. So, these few days where you have had some kind of traffic problem, some people say ‘Oh, where it used to take them 2 minutes, it took them 40 minutes, it’s part of the sacrifice, it will not be like that forever.
“Maybe the FCDA did not make announcements to enlighten the public that this is what was going to happen. So, I apologize on their behalf. But know that it was not intentional for people to suffer”.
The Minister also warned local contractors against failure to deliver on projects, stating that he would revoke the contracts of any developers who failed to deliver on projects.
The minister stated that while he supported local content, he did not support local content without capabilities.
Wike also appreciated the Senate and the House of Representatives for their support, while emphasising that governance was more important than political divides.
