By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has flagged off 57 km road resurfacing projects, spanning 189 roads in Maitama, Utako and Garki areas of Abuja.
He said the project was initiated to restore hope of the residents in the administration of president Bola Tinubu.
Wike also called on well to do individuals to not to expect infrastructure developments if they wouldn’t pay their taxes.
He said there had been initial pushback on his move to generate revenue through payment of taxes, saying he would not be deterred, but would continue to do what was right.
“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 will the money 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”, Wike said.
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 much 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 failing 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.
