The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has announced that going forward, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Abuja, the nation’s capital will be linked to specific project executions.
The Minister, while addressing pressing matters that demand decisive action to rectify dire circumstances in Abuja, asserted that this approach would facilitate the timely execution of specific initiatives without undue dependence solely on budgetary provisions.
He consequently recommended that any individuals who are avoiding the payment of ground rents and taxes owed to FCTA should promptly settle their debts. He also emphasized that regardless of their social status, the Administration will not hesitate to take action against defaulters to collect what is rightfully due for FCTA.
The FCT Minister expresses concern over the fact that it is predominantly members of the elite who are responsible for obstructing the efforts of the FCT Administration to reinstate the Abuja master plan.
The Minister utilized the platform to allude to the 825m naira restitution for native landowners whose lands were earmarked for the development of Abuja airport’s second runway. Consequently, he instructed the Permanent Secretary to disburse said funds before the week’s end to expedite and streamline the construction process of said runway.
Wike further revealed that his administration is burdened with debt (garnishee order) in tune to the sum of eight hundred million dollars against the administration in court, hence, the need to beam searchlight on IGR to fund projects, given the dwindling National budgetary allocation.
Speaking on the impact of the order on the economy, the Minister said the debt is enough to fund the budget of the FCTA for 10 years.
“How do you survive it? Who are those responsible for this? That there are no projects in the territory, everything has been abandoned. There is a garnishee order of $800m. Do you know what we are talking about? How do we survive it? Go and see what happened. Garnishee orders here and there.
“The place is just corrupt… How do we survive it? Then you now said that we have come and that we should do miracles, which miracle? Where will I get the money to go and pay $800m?” Wike lamented.
