The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on residents and business operators in Abuja to prioritize tax compliance, describing it as the foundation upon which the city’s transformation is being built. According to him, the ongoing improvements in roads, drainages, street lighting, and other public infrastructure are a direct result of tax revenues.
“All these good roads, drainages, and streetlights wouldn’t be possible if you don’t pay your taxes,” Wike said during the flag-off of new infrastructure projects in Asokoro Extension. “As we say, ‘Dis soup sweet, na money kill am.’ If you don’t have money to buy the right ingredients, the soup won’t taste good. In the same way, if we don’t have funds, we can’t deliver the kind of city Abuja deserves.”
Framing taxation as more than a civic obligation, the Minister described it as a form of collective investment in public welfare. “When you pay your taxes, you are buying comfort, safety, and pride for Abuja. So, let’s all do our part to make this city the pride of the nation.”
The infrastructure drive, he noted, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions Abuja as a global city that can compete with the best urban centers in the world. “This government is committed to ensuring that the FCT competes favorably with other cities of the world,” he said. “What you see in the developed world isn’t magic it’s the result of leadership commitment. That is what Mr. President has brought to Abuja.”
Highlighting the Asokoro Extension project as a symbol of that vision, Wike stressed the importance of basic amenities in shaping the quality of life. “Without proper road networks, drainages, and streetlights, life becomes difficult. But by the time these are completed, Asokoro will rank among the most beautiful areas in Abuja.”
Wike also pointed to the employment opportunities being generated by the ongoing construction projects across the capital, linking them to the administration’s wider socioeconomic goals. “Everywhere you go, construction is ongoing and that means jobs for our young people. This is part of the Renewed Hope agenda.”
Beyond roads and physical infrastructure, the Minister revealed that the FCT Administration is set to embark on a new phase of development in education and healthcare. “We’ve touched transport, roads, sports, and education. Now we’re moving to health. No sector will be left untouched.”
He concluded with a call for patience and continued public support, urging citizens to view their tax contributions as essential to Abuja’s long-term progress. “The Abuja of two years ago is not the same today, and by tomorrow, it will be even better.”
