Favour Ishember, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has defended the administration’s borrowing for infrastructure development, insisting that the major concern should be whether such funds are being deployed to projects that improve the lives of residents.
Wike made the clarification on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects at Wuye-Mbora, Tunga Madaki-Zuba and Kagini, off the Old Keffi Road.
The minister was responding to allegations raised over claims that the FCT Administration obtained loans without approval from the National Assembly, a matter recently brought up by FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe.
Kingibe had questioned the legality of the alleged borrowing, saying she was unaware of any appearance by Wike before the Senate to seek approval for loans. The issue also attracted a reaction from Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, who said the FCT minister had not violated any law and had subjected the administration to legislative oversight.
Reacting to the controversy, Wike maintained that no government institution could secure loans without the required legislative backing, stressing that such borrowing must be captured in the national budget.
“There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the National Assembly. Anyone who takes a loan must include it in the budget that this aspect of the budget, government is going to collect a loan,” he said.
The minister argued that the focus should not solely be on borrowing but on whether the resources were being used effectively to provide infrastructure and improve residents’ welfare.
He said,“If my problem is that I took a loan, if I took a loan, I’m using it to work. What her concern should have been is, are we applying the loan to work for the interest of residents?”
Wike’s defence came as he assessed the progress of major road projects across the FCT, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction and the dedication of contractors handling the projects.
He said although the rainy season affected the speed of work, he was confident that the contractors would meet their completion timelines.
“I was having a doubt, but the contractors are fully committed. But for the rains, I know they would have gone far. I believe that from the first week of October, the rains will not be much again, and you will see how all of them will go with standard work,” Wike stated.
He added that he was assured the projects would be completed according to schedule, particularly the December deadline.
The minister said the completed road projects would bring major economic benefits to communities that had suffered poor connectivity for years, describing them as part of President Bola Tinubu’s “Christmas gift” to FCT residents.
According to him, improved transportation networks would make it easier for residents to travel during the festive season while also boosting commercial activities.
“They have always said that by the grace of God, they will meet up the schedule, which is December. We have promised the residents that this will be their Christmas gift by Mr President,” he said.
Wike noted that the improved road infrastructure would transform the economic outlook of affected communities, adding that the happiness of residents showed the importance of responsive governance.
The FCT minister also acknowledged that the inspection of projects carried political significance, saying the administration’s achievements would form part of its campaign message ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stated that ongoing projects across the Territory represent the strongest evidence of government performance.
“How is another time to campaign? Look at what we are doing. That’s the campaign. We are already seeing what President Tinubu is doing,” Wike said.
He added, “While we are doing an inspection of the project, we are also doing a campaign.”
The minister commended contractors working on the projects, particularly those delivering roads in communities outside the city centre, saying such developments have direct impact on residents’ quality of life.
“I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen, and I commend all the contractors involved in these projects. When you are in rural areas like this, it makes those people very happy. When they are happy, that is the essence of governance,” he said.
The controversy over FCT borrowing comes amid growing attention on the Territory’s debt profile. Available analysis of Debt Management Office (DMO) records showed that the FCT’s domestic debt increased from N88.51 billion in September 2023 to N389.88 billion by March 2026.
However, the publicly available financial records do not independently reveal the specific purpose or conditions attached to each borrowing.
Wike, however, maintained that the infrastructure projects being delivered across the Territory provide the clearest explanation for the administration’s financing decisions, stressing that residents would ultimately assess government by the impact of the projects on their daily lives.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
