‘Don’t Expect Good Roads Without Paying Tax’ — Wike Tells FCT Residents

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told the wealthy men and those unwilling to pay taxes not to expect improved infrastructure in the nation’s capital.

Wike said this on Tuesday during the launch of 57 km road resurfacing projects spanning 189 roads in the Maitama District of the FCT.

“What we’re doing now is not within the area councils. This is the big men’s place. But when they tell them to pay tax now, they’ll begin to complain. They are happy the road is being resurfaced, but ask them where the money will come from, if not tax.

“When we started to see how we could get more tax and more revenue, there was nothing they did not do to fight me. I’m not worried. I will not shake. I will do what is right. So, don’t expect to have good roads without paying tax.”

Speaking further, the minister apologised to residents of Maitama for the inconveniences caused by the road projects.

“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconveniences, but after that inconvenience, you will benefit from it. So, these few days where you have had some kind of traffic problem, some people say ‘Oh, where it used to take them 2 minutes, it took them 40 minutes, it’s part of the sacrifice, it will not be like that forever.

“Maybe the FCDA did not make much announcements to enlighten the public that this is what was going to happen. So, I apologize on their behalf. But know that it was not intentional for people to suffer.”