By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has strongly dismissed allegations that Area Council chairmen in the territory are misusing or underutilizing their financial allocations.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects, Wike defended the local administrators, pointing out the immense financial pressures they face—particularly regarding statutory wage bills.
Responding to concerns from critics, who claimed the FCT Administration (FCTA) was doing all the heavy lifting while Area Councils neglected their funds, the Minister described the allegations as unfounded and urged the public to be realistic about the councils’ financial limits.
“Let us be candid with ourselves, how much do they get? And how much is the money for payment of teachers’ salaries?
“So, it is not correct that the money given to them is not being utilized,” Wike stated.
Illustrating his point with primary school education funding, the Minister highlighted the steep overhead costs hitting local budgets.
“Take for example, how much does Kuje Area Council get in a month?
“And what is the salary bill for the teachers? I’m not talking about other civil servants, just for the teachers alone for the primary schools, how much?
“So, I don’t think so. I do not believe that money given to them is not utilized,” he added.
He further noted that accountability ultimately lies with the electorate, stating, “I did not elect them. Those who elected them should take action.”
The financial defense came on the heels of a successful project inspection tour, where the Minister expressed immense satisfaction with the quality and pace of critical infrastructure being developed to open up the FCT’s satellite towns.
According to Barr. Wike, the inspected projects are nearing 100% completion and are slated for commissioning to mark the third-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The three major sites inspected include the Body of Benchers Annex Complex- urrently 95% completed and fully furnished, Baze-Nile University Link Road – constructed by CCECC, the road is completed and currently being fitted with streetlights,Tungan Madaki Community Road (off Bill Clinton Drive)-the critical bridge is finished, and final asphalt laying is expected to wrap up within a week.
