I have no apologies for supporting LG autonomy — Wike

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said on Monday that his support for local government autonomy is irreversible.

He said such autonomy will make local government authorities directly responsible to the people.

The minister, who spoke during the flag-off of the upgrading of War College and other ancillary roads in Bwari on Monday, said he was not interested in allocations to the area councils, as he is only accountable for the funds entrusted to him.

He said, “Since we came as ministers, I don’t even know how much they get. I’ve never bothered to ask myself. I’m not interested to know. I have my own allocation; they have their own allocation. And that is why I support Mr. President, and I have no apologies to anybody. I have no apologies that there should be autonomy of local governments.

“What they do with it, let the people ask them. Let them be accountable to the people, and let us be accountable to the one that has been given to us.”

While expressing confidence in some of the achievements recorded by the present administration, the minister said the evidence is there for all to see.

He urged residents to pay their ground rents to enable the government to fulfil its obligations to the people, adding that Abuja’s development is a collective effort.

“That is what I used to do on all these roads. There’s no oil in Abuja; the only way we have to provide infrastructure is when you pay your ground rent so we will be able to do these roads.

“Some of you have been saying when you go to Abuja, you will see roads. It’s money we use to construct these roads. So please, I urge you, let us do our own part by paying our ground rent. When you do your own part, and government does not do their own part, then you can ask questions. You can ask, what are you doing with all the taxes that we are paying? We will tell you what we have done and what we will continue to do with your money you have paid as your taxes.

“When you pay your tax, you have the right to ask questions. What do you do with my money? Nobody will prosecute you for doing that.”

On the issue of evacuating street beggars from Abuja, the minister said there will be no going back on the decision, as the administration will soon be unveiling a security scheme to end street begging in Abuja.

“On Friday, of course, we’re going to launch another security scheme where we’re going to make sure there are no beggars.

“FCT cannot be overrun by beggars. It is the only city we have in Nigeria to showcase to the world; who will not allow that?” he asked.

Earlier in her vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the project will undoubtedly enhance the infrastructure of the rural area and improve the quality of life of the residents of the area.

“The upgrading of the War College/Army CheckPoint and these vital ancillary roads will not only facilitate transportation but also stimulate economic growth and development.”

Giving an overview of the project, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department, Zulkiflu Abdulkadir, said the 18km road will bridge the infrastructure deficit in satellite towns and area councils.

The scope of work includes road upgrading, site clearance, earthworks, culvert construction, and solar street light installation.