WIKE EXPLAINS UNPOPULARITY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS, SAYS HE BLOCKED FUND DIVERSION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. (PHOTO).

 The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed his unpopularity among some civil servants to his refusal to approve what he described as wasteful spending, particularly on foreign conferences, choosing instead to redirect resources into critical infrastructure projects.

Wike made the remarks during his monthly media briefing on the state of the FCT in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the minister, previous administrations allocated a large portion of the FCT budget to recurrent expenditure, which he said created avenues for the diversion of public funds. He revealed that he has reversed this trend by prioritising capital projects, especially road construction.

“Before I came you had about 65 percent of the budget for recurrent expenditure. How would such society develop?” Wike said. “I came onboard and said no, 70 per cent is for capital expenditure while 30 percent is for recurrent expenditure.”

He cited the approval of huge sums for overseas trips as a major area of concern. “We waste our resources on frivolities. You expect me to approve funds for you to go for conference in America on land administration, what’s that?” he asked.

Wike questioned the rationale behind such expenditures, suggesting officials could learn from local examples. “Go to Lagos and Port Harcourt, study how their own works or did not work and make a comparison here.”

He gave a specific example: “How do you encourage me to sign N20 million to travel to America for a conference of one week for land administration? I won’t do that.”

The minister argued that many of these conferences served as conduits for corruption. “Some people say conferences for corruption and I say what is that? You are going for conferences to do what? These are ways government funds are being diverted,” he stated. “I say put this money in this road here and the people will get the impact.”

Wike acknowledged that his stance has made him unpopular with certain civil servants who previously benefited from such spending practices. “And 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? Those money for conferences, I put the money together for roads,” he added.

Since assuming office in August 2023, the former Rivers State Governor has focused on infrastructure development, urban renewal, and improved service delivery in the FCT. His administration has embarked on extensive road rehabilitation projects while implementing reforms in land administration and cracking down on illegal structures.