By Remi Johnson
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Benjamin Kalu, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, for his financial prudence and commitment to infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.
Speaking in his own capacity during the commissioning of the CN2 collector road linking Ahmadu Bello Way to Mabushi and the Judges’ Quarters in Abuja, Kalu expressed Parliament’s satisfaction with Wike’s performance.
“It is not only the President who is impressed with your services; the Parliament is impressed with your services as well.
“I want to thank the Minister of FCT, Wike. When you commissioned projects last year, they said you wouldn’t repeat it. This year again, you have given us 17 days to commission projects. We are proud of you.
“We want to assure you that we are never afraid of approving your proposals when they come before the Parliament, because we know you know how to invest government resources,” Kalu said.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, lamented the poor revenue coming from federal allocation and urged all residents to pay their taxes, adding that the city needed the taxes to execute additional infrastructure.
“The big men are those who make sure they don’t pay taxes. But these big men, before they lived in London, they pay their property taxes; before they leave America, they pay their rent. They know the consequences. But here, they will not comply,” he stated.
Wike also used the occasion to reassure President Tinubu, the lawmakers, and Nigerians that he would not disappoint them.
“We will carry out development in the interest of our people. I thank all those, particularly those from the United States.
“I want to thank you for all that you have done to show that your son has not disappointed you. I assure you that we will not disappoint you. I will not disappoint Nigerians,” Wike vowed.