Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said many civil servants are unhappy with him because of his decision to channel government funds into infrastructure projects instead of approving costly official trips and conferences.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the minister explained that his administration has shifted its spending priorities from recurrent expenses to capital development, especially road construction and other projects that directly benefit residents.
Wike said he would rather face criticism than approve what he described as unnecessary government spending.
According to him, public officials should not expect approval for expensive foreign trips whose value does not match their cost.
“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? Go to Lagos and Port Harcourt, study how their own works or did not work and make a comparison here,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor disclosed that he had turned down several requests worth millions of naira for week-long international conferences, insisting that the funds should instead be used for projects that have a direct impact on the lives of residents.
“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,” he said.
Wike stated that since assuming office, his administration has restructured the FCT budget by giving greater attention to capital projects.
He said about 70 per cent of
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