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Says land grabbing allegation sponsored by failed politician from Adamawa
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Says renovated ICC made N650m in 3 weeks
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described as unrealistic demands by some teachers in the prolonged closure of public primary schools in the capital city.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike explained that the FCT Administration under his leadership intervened, but some of the teachers were unrealistic.
He said, “We intervened in the strike, but some of the teachers have not been realistic; it will be difficult. We will pay in phases; that’s what I said.”
The minister also lamented the wage bill of his administration in comparison with the number of workers.
He added, “Almost 50,000 workers with a salary of N13 billion every month, what do we get from the federal government?
“If the federal government gets N800 billion a year, it gives us one per cent; one per cent of N800 billion is N8 billion. With ₦8 billion, can I pay the salaries with this new minimum wage? Can it pay allowances?
“I heard they locked the gate, but they have taken their salaries. Have you asked that you lock the gate, but your salary will be paid?”
Wike, speaking for the first time personally on accusations of land grabbing involving his two sons, dismissed the allegations as “a story sponsored by a failed politician from Adamawa State.”
The minister, however, declined to reveal the identity of the purported sponsor.
He further emphasised that, while such matters “do not contribute to national development,” he has “never made such allocations.”
Wike also disclosed that the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, renovated at N39 billion, generated N650 million three weeks after inauguration.
According to him, before the renovation of the conference centre, the FCT received a revenue of N50 million annually.
He stated, “Let me tell you how this country works. The man they gave the conference centre to was paying N50 million to the FCT every year.
“That place was commissioned on June 10, and the revenue made within three weeks was N650 million. Why? People love good things.
“The president hosted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state in that international conference centre. Go and see the comments from ambassadors. People are rushing that place now.
“In fact, there’s no space. As I speak, it has been booked up to 2027.”