Wike Criticizes Foreign Trip Approvals for Officials

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, expressed that he is disliked by some FCT workers due to his stance on public expenditure. During a monthly media briefing in Abuja, he criticized the approval of funds for foreign trips, arguing that the benefits do not justify the costs.

Wike questioned the rationale behind sponsoring officials to attend overseas conferences when similar experiences could be gained within Nigeria, which he views as a waste of resources. He rejected a request for N20 million to fund a week-long conference in America, insisting that such resources should instead finance projects that directly improve the lives of residents.

Wike's policies reflect a broader fiscal strategy aimed at reversing unhealthy budget structures that favor recurrent expenditure over capital development. He noted that 70% of the FCT Administration's budget is allocated to recurrent expenditure, leaving only 30% for capital projects, which he believes hampers meaningful development.