FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Says No to Blackmail, Alleges Corruption by Civil Servants
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Says No to Blackmail, Alleges Corruption by Civil Servants
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that he will not be intimidated by what he calls "blackmail" or "sponsored protests" to pay contractors for unapproved projects. He made the statement during the commissioning of the Phase 2 of the Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant in Abuja.
Key Highlights of the Minister's Statement:
The Allegations: Wike's comments were a direct response to reports that the FCT Administration owes local contractors a substantial amount of money, with some reports citing a debt of N5 billion.
Wike's Rebuttal: The Minister flatly denied that his administration owes any legitimate debts to these contractors. He accused civil servants within the FCT Administration of being behind the issue, alleging that they sat in their offices and awarded contracts without ministerial approval. He stated, "Let anybody who says I awarded them contracts bring the documents."
Accusations of Corruption: Wike described the situation as "corruption fighting back" against his reforms. He suggested that civil servants and their "fronts" (the so-called contractors) were trying to blackmail him into paying for contracts that were never properly awarded.
Commitment to Development: The Minister reiterated his focus on channeling funds into major capital projects that have a tangible impact on the lives of residents, rather than on what he described as frivolous or fraudulent recurrent expenses. He noted that the FCT's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased from about N9 billion to over N30 billion monthly under his leadership, which he attributes to his administration's financial prudence.
Wider Context: Wike's statement also comes amid ongoing legal and public scrutiny over land administration in the FCT, with previous allegations of land grabbing. His repeated use of the term "blackmail" appears to be a consistent theme in his public defense against critics and accusations.
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