Wike Acknowledges Unpopularity Over Foreign Trip Ban
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has admitted that his refusal to fund foreign conferences and trips has made him deeply unpopular among civil servants in Abuja. Speaking at his monthly media briefing on Thursday, July 9, Wike said he is willing to accept the criticism as he prioritizes infrastructure over recurrent spending.
Wike noted that his stance has drawn widespread criticism from within the civil service, which he described as an expected consequence. He stated, "That's why I can't be popular among civil servants. If you ask anybody today, one minister they won't like is me. Why? That money for conferences, I put the money together for roads."
Wike Rejects N20 Million Conference Request
The minister cited a specific example to illustrate his position, revealing that he turned down a proposal seeking N20 million to send officials to a week-long land administration conference in the United States. He suggested that officials could instead travel to Lagos or Port Harcourt to observe how land systems function in those cities.
Wike argued that such conferences have historically served as conduits for misappropriating public funds rather than genuine knowledge-sharing exercises. His decision aligns with his broader effort to curb wasteful spending in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
FCT Budget Now 70% Capital, 30% Recurrent
Wike also disclosed a major shift in the FCT budget structure. When he took office, he identified an unhealthy allocation where approximately 65% of funds went to recurrent expenditure, leaving little for development. Under his administration, that ratio has been inverted, with about 70% now directed to capital projects, including road construction and public infrastructure, while recurrent costs account for the remaining 30%.
He maintained that governments allowing overhead costs to dominate public budgets cannot deliver meaningful development. Visible infrastructure, he argued, represents a more defensible use of taxpayers' money than recurring conference circuits.
Wike's Controversial Role in APC-Led Government
The FCT minister has been making headlines for week-long project commissioning across Nigeria's capital. His position has been controversial given his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while serving under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite the political tension, Wike has remained focused on his infrastructure agenda.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Wike expressed scepticism about awarding projects to Nigerian contractors, citing his experience as a local government chairman and governor of Rivers State. He made the remark while commending a local contractor who successfully completed a road in Abuja.
