By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has on the issue of ground rent stated, that blackmail will not stop the Ministry from doing its job.
He made this statement today, while addressing pressmen after inspection of projects in Abuja.
The Minister bemoaned about the challenge of people’s refusal to pay their mortgages. He said, “People just want facilities, people want infrastructure but nobody asks, where are you getting these funds. Abuja is not one of the oil cities. We only rely on taxes, and these are not new taxes. These are taxes that have been there for years.
“It is unfortunate that most elites own houses overseas. They know the implication of not paying your taxes. They know such houses are gone. But when it comes to your own country, you do not want to do that, simply because nobody wants to obey law and everybody thinks they are not sanctioned. And I have said it, that it did not happen yesterday, does not mean it will not happen today.
“We must do something to say that we are also supporting the government to see those infrastructures that we need, we must do our own part.”
The Minister further stated, that in over 20 years, there has not been any increment in ground rent, “We have not increased the ground rent but, we are working towards that. We will do that.”
“The President has given a window of two weeks. Let nobody think that blackmail or whatever will stop us. We will do what we are supposed to do. This is all about leadership. We will not give in for blackmail. We will do the right thing. If you have not paid, we will take.”
He cited, that as he travelled, he signed over 1,500 C-of-Os and assignments. “Now, when we sign that, you collect the C-of-O, and then you will not pay taxes to the government. I mean, it’s not acceptable. It doesn’t matter what anybody wants to say, it’s not acceptable.”
“Pay your taxes and see what we are doing. It’s not to say, FCT is doing well. How are we doing well? We are doing well because we are managing the resources we have prudently. If you pay your taxes, you will see that it will be a different thing.”
Speaking also on the plans of the Ministry, the Minister stated, that multiple of projects have been lined up to be commissioned ahead of the President’s 2nd year in office.
“We have outlined the projects that will be commissioned in the second year anniversary of Mr. President. This afternoon we were at the International Conference Centre. You can see for yourself the quality of job and that is ready. The contractor, Julius Berger, has fulfilled the promise they have made.”
