The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that government cannot prioritise salaries and allowances at the expense of infrastructure and public services, warning that such an approach would undermine development in the nation’s capital.
According to the minister, responsible governance requires a careful balance between recurrent and capital expenditure. “Nobody can just bring out the whole money and pay allowances and wages,” Wike said.
He added that if all available revenue were spent on salaries, government would be unable to “buy vehicles, construct roads, and run schools.”
Wike also addressed criticisms directed at previous FCT administrations, explaining that project delivery had often been constrained by limited access to funds and prolonged approval processes.
“People are quick to blame former ministers without understanding that funds were not always readily accessible, noting that bureaucratic delays frequently stalled key projects,” he said,
Highlighting recent progress, the minister disclosed that the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased significantly, rising from about ₦9 billion monthly to nothing less than ₦30 billion every month. He described the growth as a clear indication of performance and improved revenue management.”
Providing insight into current expenditure, Wike emphasized that approximately ₦2 billion is spent monthly on salaries, while more than ₦12 billion is committed to infrastructure development.
“You cannot develop a city by paying salaries alone; development requires sustained investment in infrastructure,” he stated.
The minister called for a collective approach to national development, stressing that the future of this country is on all of us.
He also expressed confidence in the current administration, affirming that President Bola Tinubu is doing the best he can to address the country’s economic and developmental challenges.