The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, 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.
The FCT Minister made the disclosure in Abuja on Friday 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-kilometre left-hand service carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road 1 to Wasa Junction, the construction of the 16-kilometre one-way 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 Obafemi Awolowo Way, which 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 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os), they need to understand that it’s only from the payment of taxes that we will be able to carry out projects that will be meaningful and have a positive impact on the lives of the people. Imagine when this road is completed—the impact it will have is not something you can underestimate.
“So, we are appealing to our people. It’s not politics; it’s about being responsible and responsive. The government has given you land for which you are to pay annual ground rent, enabling us to use the funds for development. Many people call me every day saying, ‘Oh, we see what you are doing. Can you extend it to our area?’ Yes, we want to extend it if the money is available. The money will only be there when you pay your taxes. Therefore, we will be 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 confidence in their assurance of meeting the May deadline.
According to the FCT Minister: “This is my fourth time—if I can recall correctly—coming to this site. This project has been a headache for me. As the contractor said, the job was awarded in 2014, taking us 11 years. That tells you that, obviously, the price can no longer be the same. So, when I came, there was a price variation. I commend Salini Nigeria Limited on this particular project. I never believed it would be completed by May, but they are speaking with authority, and I believe them. The last time we came, we stopped 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.
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The Minister emphasised 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 if we made a promise and fulfilled it. I have to thank Mr President. This is truly what we call the Renewed Hope Agenda—hope has returned to our people, and they are happy. Promises made, promises fulfilled—that’s what delivering the dividends of democracy is all about,” 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 how it should be, and that’s why we are achieving what we are achieving today,” he concluded.