The problem in this country is about us, “we in Power”, not about institutions, Says Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Monday said the problem of Nigeria is the attitude of those in power and not the institutions.

Wike spoke while addressing thousands of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) staff who besieged his office to express delight and appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Wike over creation of FCT Civil Service Commission and other reforms.

Wike said: “The problem in this country is about us, we in Power, not about institutions. If we allow this, my power will be reduced and that is what you have seen all this while. Nobody talks about the welfare of others, the growth of others.

“Who will be happy in life if he cannot attain the highest peak of his or her career? If I am a judge, I want to reach the Supreme Court. If I am a civil servant, I want to reach the Permanent Secretary level.

“I’m sure that all of you have lost hope. I told Mr. President; you said it is the renewed hope agenda. These people (FCTA) have lost hope, and renewed their hope.

“Tell them that everything’s not lost and the only way you can assure them is by making them grow to the apex of their career. And Mr. President said, I’m not aware of this. Now that I am aware, I will bring back the hope of the civil servants of the FCT.

“He immediately approved that we should implement the 2018 law as passed by the National Assembly.

“Let me tell you, from now till next week, I will implement it because if I can grow in my career to this level. Why should we be a hindrance to other people’s growth?”

Promising the staff he would convey their appreciation to the President for what he did for them and the society, Wike revealed that the President also berated littering of uncompleted projects across the Territory.

He explained that the Administration had to exit the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to be able to use Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and fund these projects and initiate new ones.

He argued that the FCTA did not have to participate in the TSA policy in the first place because: “you say you want to block. We are not revenue collecting agents for the Federal government, so what are we blocking?”

The Minister also disclosed that President Tinubu permitted the Administration to source funds from commercial banks, adding that with the TSA exit, it could approach banks with a monthly repayment plan deducted from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He called on the staff to continue praying for the President as they rededicate themselves to duty in the development of the FCT.

“Continue to pray for Mr. President. More things will come for FCT and we will make all of you happy. If you are happy, we will be happy. Because I cannot smile every day and your faces are not looking good. That is not the best,” he said.