My Biggest Challenge is Residents Not Paying Taxes -Wike
By: Wisdom Acka
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said that his greatest challenge in administering the Territory was non-payment of taxes by residents.
Wike stated this while fielding questions from journalists after inspection of ongoing projects on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025.
He lamented that while residents wanted quality infrastructure in the FCT, they were unwilling to support the government by paying their taxes, adding that most of the debtors owed for about 20 years, even though the ground rent has remained the same over the years.
The Minister said: “My greatest challenge is the challenge of people refusing to pay their money. I will speak on that in the next media chat. And people just want facilities, people want infrastructure. But nobody asks, where are you getting these funds? Abuja is not one of the oil cities, we only rely on taxes. These are not new taxes. These are taxes that have been here for years.
“It is unfortunate that most elites own houses overseas. They know the implication of not paying taxes, they know such houses are gone. But when it comes to your own country, you don’t want to do that, simply because nobody wants to obey the law, everybody thinks there are no sanctions.
“Look at the years, 20-something years, 30-something years; and how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that, we will do that, I can assure you. The President has given a waiver of two weeks. Let nobody think that blackmail or whatever will stop us; we will do what we are supposed to do.”
The Minister explained that the FCT Administration was doing well because it is managing the resources prudently.
“If you pay your taxes, you will see that it will be a different thing. And that’s what we are trying to do. So, this is one of the heavy challenges that we are facing, and we will surmount it. Be assured that we are going to surmount it, ” Wike assured.
The Minister also stated that he had recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment, even as he encouraged FCT residents to pay their taxes and ground rents to aid development in the nation’s capital.
He restated that the FCTA had earmarked projects that would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.
“We have outlined the projects that will be commissioned on the second anniversary of Mr. President. This afternoon we were at the International Conference Centre. You can see for yourself the quality of the job, and that is ready. The contractor, Julius Berger, has fulfilled the promise they have made.
“We were also at N5, Life Camp. That is also 95% ready, and Berger has also said before the end of the week of next week, that job is also ready.
“Now we are at Gishiri, from the interchange, you can see that the CGC have done a marvellous job. They have completed the axis and by my right, going to Judges’ quarters have been completed. From here to Jahi, linking to where Gilmore is working-Wole Soyinka road, has also been completed.”
Wike continued: “I feel so happy that the contractors have lived up to expectations. The quality of work is superb. I am sure residents in this area are very happy with the administration of the President. He has made promises that he is going to develop a great road infrastructure. So, this is what he has done. I am so happy with what you have done…This is a marvellous job. We are very, very grateful, and we thank God for this.”
Speaking on the commissioning date of the projects, the Minister said that the Administration has agreed with the committee members of the FCT House of Representatives and the Senate to shift the date of the International Conference Centre so that they would be able to participate.
