Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has advocated for increased revenue generation through taxes and ground rent payments in the FCT to fund impactful projects, stating the intent to aggressively pursue revenue collection within legal boundaries.
Wike made the disclosure in Abuja on Friday, March 28, 2025 during a rigorous tour of ongoing critical infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in May, coinciding with President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
The Minister’s itinerary included a comprehensive assessment of the 15-kilometer left-hand service carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road 1 to Wasa Junction, Construction of the 16-kilometer one service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III to the Idu Industrial area connecting the Kubwa/Zuba expressway and the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal office Complex in Dakibiu, Jabi District, and its access road from the Obafemi Awolowo Way which is is expected to be completed by September.
According to him “We are going to be very aggressive in our revenue drive to achieve more projects. When people complain that we are revoking C of Os, they need to understand that it’s from only payment of taxes that we will be able to carry out projects that will be meaningful, that will have positive impact on the lives of the people. Imagine when this road is completed, the impact it will have. It’s not something you can underestimate.
“So, we are appealing to our people. It’s not politics. It’s about being responsible and being responsive. Government has given you land for you to pay yearly annual ground rent for us to use for the development. So many people call me everyday, oh we see what you are doing. Can you extend it to our own area. Yes, we want to extend if the money is there. How the money will be there is only when you pay your taxes. So, we will be very, very aggressive within the limit of the law, in our revenue drive so that we can complete all the projects that we have started” he added.
On the progress of work across all project sites visited, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work. He noted repeated visits to the INEX and commended the contractor’s progress, expressing belief in their assurance of meeting the May deadline.
According to the FCT Minister, “This is my 4th time, if I can remember very well of coming to this site. This project has been a headache for me. Like the contractor said, the job was awarded in 2014, taking us 11 years. That tells you, obviously the price can’tno longer be the same. So, when I came, there was price variation. I commend Salini Nigeria Limited on this particular project. I never believed that it would be actualized in May, but they are talking with authority and I believe them. The last time we came, we stopped at the back there but see where we are today, which means in the next few weeks, they would have completed the bridge. I’m happy with what we have seen,” stated the Minister.
The Minister emphasized the administration’s dedication to fulfilling its “Renewed Hope Agenda,” and stressed the importance of delivering dividends of democracy.
“How happy we would be in life that you made a promise and you fulfilled the promise. I have to thank Mr. President. This is really actually what we call Renewed Hope Agenda, that hope has come back to our people, and they are happy. Promises made, promises fulfilled and that’s all about dividends of democracy,” he said.
Barr. Wike reiterated the government’s commitment to building trust and confidence with contractors and the public, attributing current achievements to this approach. “You must create that level of confidence and that’s what we have done. Creating confidence in our people and the contractors. That is what is supposed to be and that’s why we are achieving what we are achieving today,” he concluded.
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