Collaborate With Us; Wike Urges Council Chairmen

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on the chairmen of the six Area Councils in the FCT to set aside quarrels and collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the benefit of the people.

FCT Minister Urges Area Council Chairmen to Work in Harmony with FCT

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Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on the chairmen of the six Area Councils in the FCT to set aside quarrels and collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the benefit of the people.

During a meeting in his office on Thursday, Wike emphasized that there should be no unnecessary and unhealthy competition or clashes between the Councils and the FCTA. He urged the chairmen to focus on other aspects of their responsibilities, such as environmental sanitation and road construction, in addition to revenue collection.

While acknowledging that revenue collection is constitutionally the responsibility of the local government (Area Councils), Wike emphasized that it should not be the sole focus, as the city's cleanliness and overall development are of equal importance. He also mentioned that the FCTA provides financial support to the Area Councils by paying them 10 percent every month, underscoring the need for collaboration rather than conflict.

As a former Local Government Chairman himself, Wike sympathized with the challenges faced by the chairmen and assured them of his support. He emphasized that their collective effort is essential for the achievement of their common goals, stating, "We must, therefore, collaborate to work. We are not competing."

Wike, who emphasized his commitment to serving the interests of the people and supporting President Bola Tinubu's agenda, explicitly stated that his actions are not driven by party interests. He stressed the importance of financial probity, noting that the issue of insufficient funds is a general challenge and highlighting the need for proper management.

Addressing concerns raised by the chairmen, including the issue of mining-related insecurity, Wike promised to contact his counterpart in the Solid Minerals Ministry to regulate mining activities and generate revenue. He also urged the chairmen to establish surveillance mechanisms to combat insecurity arising from artisanal mining.

On the issue of security, the Minister emphasized the need for information sharing and expressed his concern over the kidnapping of 19 individuals in one Area Council. He assured the chairmen that appropriate action would be taken by the FCT Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Security (DSS).

Wike also discussed the possibility of introducing a property tax, emphasizing that the residents of Abuja, particularly those living in affluent neighborhoods, should pay their fair share. He also expressed his intention to prioritize the development of Area Council roads, one by one, to improve the conditions of grassroots roads.

The Minister emphasized that the current FCTA under his leadership would involve the chairmen in land allocation and development decisions in their respective domains to enable them to oversee developments in their areas.

In response, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT Chapter, and Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, listed several challenges faced by the Councils and appealed to the Minister for assistance. These challenges include inadequate funding, security issues, lack of development in satellite towns, challenges with public transportation, deductions for payment of primary school teachers, and allocation of land without their input.

Wike assured the chairmen that they would be involved in land allocation decisions, and he explained that the deduction at source for primary school teacher payments was intended to ensure the funds are used for their intended purpose. He emphasized that the chairmen are still in charge, as they recommended the appointment of personnel in charge of Universal Basic Education.

In conclusion, the meeting aimed to foster cooperation and address the challenges faced by the Area Councils, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the chairmen and the FCTA to ensure effective governance and development in the FCT.