The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike speaking at the commissioning of the Kwali road in Abuja has alleged that the cost of the project is 7 billion naira, yet the allocated budget was only N100 million, highlighting a significant shortfall.
He further explained that this shortfall indicates a lack of genuine intent to execute the project. He identified that when he was advised to proceed with procurement under these conditions, he refused, labeling such an action as criminal. He stated that his refusal was rooted in ethical considerations and the potential legal repercussions of proceeding with a project that couldn't be adequately funded.
He said in a live coverage by Channels TV, "Part of the problems that we are having in our system is the budget and the cost of the project. If the cost of the project is not enough, the work cannot be completed. The cost of this project is N7 billion, and what was provided to us in the budget was N100 million.
I said, look, it means that we don't really want to do the project. And when they said we should proceed with the procurement, I refused, saying I will not engage in that kind of procurement. It's a criminal offense. You will make the people hate the government when the road is not completed. Nothing can be more painful than when the government makes a promise to the people and cannot fulfill that promise."