The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed his belief that Nigerians are willing to pay their taxes if they can see tangible benefits from their contributions to the government.
“What matters most to us is ensuring that citizens fulfill their tax obligations. I can assure you that Nigerians are more inclined to pay their taxes when they witness their funds being effectively utilized,” he stated. “However, they become hesitant when they perceive that their tax payments yield no visible outcomes.”
Wike made these remarks while inspecting the emergency construction of a 5-kilometer road in Kuje township, linking Garage Junction to the LEA Secretariat, among other projects. He emphasized that his administration primarily relies on Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) and exercises careful management of available resources for ongoing initiatives.
“It’s all about strategy and wisely managing the resources at our disposal. We are focused on increasing our IGR and utilizing it for essential expenditures. There are no other funds coming from external sources,” he explained.
He added, “We also limit the number of projects we undertake, ensuring we make significant progress before commencing new ones, and confirming that funding is secured to prevent any projects from being abandoned. It’s not about having abundant funds; it’s about managing what we have prudently for the benefit of our people.”
During his inspection, Wike reviewed the extensive development of the 11-kilometer FCT Highway 105, also known as the Kuje highway, which stretches from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction, including a spur at Kyami.
Wike instructed the extension of the dualization of the Kuje township road to the Gwagwalada Area Council to alleviate traffic congestion, shorten travel distances, and boost economic activity in the region.
“We anticipate that by December, the contractor, Gilmor Engineering, will complete the project as promised. We have also directed them to continue the dualization from Kuje to Gwagwalada.”
“This will ease traffic flow towards Gwagwalada and reduce travel times. Residents can now access Kuje directly from Gwagwalada without detouring via the airport road. This enhancement will significantly stimulate economic activities in the area,” he concluded.
