The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations claiming that he awarded ₦5 billion worth of contracts to local contractors.
Speaking on Monday via a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister insisted that no contract under the current administration has been awarded to local contractors.
He urged those making the claim to come forward and present concrete documentation.
In December 2023, upon assuming office, Wike was presented with an outstanding bill of approximately ₦10 billion for jobs completed by local contractors before his tenure. These jobs were categorized as “Shopping” or Minor Procurement.
The Minister said he promptly approved payments exceeding ₦5 billion that same month and authorised an additional payment of over ₦5 billion in January 2024, effectively clearing the outstanding amount.
However, three months later, another bill amounting to over ₦15 billion surfaced, purportedly for outstanding payments under the same Minor Procurement category.
The Minister said he questioned the legitimacy of these claims, stressing that he had not authorised such contracts and criticised the rapid accumulation of such debts within a short three-month period
“How can you claim to have carried out jobs worth over ₦15 billion within three months without the approval of the Minister? How can such a massive debt accumulate without clear authorisation?” Wike’s aide queried.
Further scrutiny revealed that these claims had fluctuated from ₦15 billion down to ₦8 billion and more recently to ₦5 billion, raising concerns about the authenticity and authority behind the supposed contract awards.
The FCT Minister’s spokesperson called on all parties involved to clarify the source of these contract approvals and to provide evidence supporting their claims.
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