*Photo: Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom, FCT Minister*
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said Nigerians don’t like
to pay taxes.
He spoke on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after a tour of key projects in the FCT.
Responding to a question on the mode of operation of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) tax collectors, the Minister stated that his office was yet to receive any formal complaint about any alleged
high-handedness by AMAC enforcement officials, popularly
called ‘AMAC Marshalls’.
Barr Wike however averred that most residents were in the habit of
avoiding the payment of their taxes, hence he could not say if it was the
AMAC officials who were being severe or the problem was with residents who did not want to pay their taxes.
“I am not trying to defend AMAC, but I know that when it has to do with issues of tax, Nigerians don’t like to pay taxes. They can call you all sorts of names when it has to do with taxes. However, nobody has given us such a report. If we have that report, then we will know what to do. We will call AMAC to order. There must be a civilised way of collecting taxes”, he added.
The Minister expressed satisfaction
with the quality and pace of ongoing infrastructure projects across the
Federal Capital Territory.
He noted that several projects scheduled for inauguration during
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary celebrations were nearing completion.
“Part of these projects are slated to be inaugurated by Mr President as part of his third-year anniversary celebration. Quality jobs done by very good contractors. We are happy. The excellence is there”, he said.
Projects inspected by the Minister
included access roads to the Renewed Hope Estate in
Karsana, the Dei-Dei to Life Camp road, the road connecting the Body of Benchers, Baze and Nile Universities at the Institution and Research district and the Bill Clinton drive to Tugan Madaki community road being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.
Barr Wike stated that contractors handling the key road projects had
assured the administration that outstanding works, including lighting, would
soon be completed.
Speaking on each project inspected, Barr Wike pointed out that by the end
of May, the access roads in Karsana and the Dei-Dei to Life Camp road by
Lubric Construction would be completed, while the road projects executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation have been completed, except for the installation of streetlights.
“We are very happy. They promised that before the end of the month they will finish the streetlights and that is being handled by Lubric…also the contractor, CCECC, has also promised that within the next 10 days they will
complete the streetlights. We are very comfortable and happy”, he stated.
The Minister described the projects as evidence of the Tinubu
administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal in the FCT.
On Politics, the Minister said the emerging “rainbow coalition” in Rivers State, ahead of the 2027 elections would shape its political strategy around areas where it commands electoral strength, adding that the political actors
involved in the coalition would assess prevailing realities before taking decisions.
“That is the essence of the rainbow coalition in Rivers State. We’ll look at
where we have strength, compare notes and vote accordingly”, he said.
The Minister also dismissed attempts to associate him with the issues surrounding the screening of aspirants in Rivers State by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he had no role in the process.
“I’m not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening. Even if they publish the results, why would I comment? I don’t know the reasons they have”, he stated.
He maintained that he would not speculate on matters outside his political constituency.
“What pertains to me is what I will talk about, not what does not concern me. I’m not a native doctor, neither am I a prophet”, he added.