FCT Funds Are Not for Salaries Alone – Wike Declares Amid Strike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that government funds cannot be used solely for salaries and allowances while critical development projects remain unattended.

Wike made this statement while addressing workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the Joint Union Action Committee during the ongoing strike action in Abuja.

He said the responsibility of government goes beyond paying wages and must also cover infrastructure, education, and public services needed by residents.

“Nobody can just bring out the whole money and pay allowances and wages. How will we buy these vehicles? How will we construct the roads? How will we rehabilitate the schools?” he asked.

The minister explained that managing public funds requires balance, as the same money must serve different needs at the same time.

He recalled a period when past administrations struggled with limited resources and were still blamed for not delivering projects.

“And yet, you’ll say, when this minister was there, he couldn’t do anything. How will he do something? Will he go out and print money?” he said.

Wike revealed that monthly allocations to the FCT have increased significantly since he assumed office.

“When I came, this FCTA idea was ₦9 billion, ₦9 billion a month. Today, by the grace of God, we have nothing less than ₦30 billion every month,” he stated.

He questioned how performance should be judged when funds are split between salaries, infrastructure, and daily administration.

“Now, what is called performance? So, if we have ₦30 billion, and then we move ₦3 billion to augment for salary, and then we say, okay, we move another ₦10 billion for infrastructure, and then the remaining one, you have to run the…”

He warned against using newly available funds to settle very old obligations at the expense of present development.

“The moment you see ₦5 billion in the account, you remember that something that was not paid in 2015, it is now that they will pay it. That is not the way it is supposed to be,” he said.

The minister also appealed to workers to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and remain hopeful about the country’s future.

“So, I appeal to you that the future of this country, for all of us, is that our President does the best he can do. But we can also support by being progressive-minded,” Wike added.

On the ongoing strike, Wike reminded the workers that the matter is already before the court and urged them to respect the ruling of the National Industrial Court.

He warned that disobedience to court orders could attract serious legal consequences.

“It’s unfortunate when people say they will not obey court orders. That means we’re in a lawless society,” he said.

“You go and block the gates and say you will not obey court order. Let me advise you. It depends on who you are dealing with. By the time we go for contempt of court against those who are blocking our gates or those who wrote a letter that they will not obey the court order, then you will see the difference.”

He stressed that the FCT administration did not take the law into its hands and remains open to dialogue.

“We did not take the law into our hands; all we said was, let’s go and see who is wrong and who is right. We are still open for dialogue, but nobody should threaten the existence of anybody.”

Wike assured the workers that their concerns were being handled gradually and that not all problems could be solved at once.

“The whole essence is to have dialogue where there are problems, and say these problems, I can solve this now, leave this for me tomorrow, I’ll be able to solve that tomorrow,” he said.

“Nobody can solve all our problems, and as long as we are living, problems will come up.”

He added that governance is a continuous process and every administration only builds on what the previous one started.

“What is important is that you are focused and you are doing the best you can do. When you leave the office, another person will come and continue from where you stopped.”

The strike by FCTA workers began on January 19 over unresolved welfare and salary issues. The action has disrupted public services across Abuja, including secretariats and key government offices.

Wike had earlier warned the striking workers to return to duty following a court order directing them to suspend the industrial action or face legal measures.

The post FCT Funds Are Not for Salaries Alone – Wike Declares Amid Strike appeared first on Politics Nigeria.