Wike dismisses ₦5bn contract claims as aggrieved contractors storm FCTA

By Kunle Sanni –

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he awarded contracts worth ₦5 billion to local contractors, following a protest at the FCT Administration (FCTA) complex in Abuja.

On Monday, a group of contractors blocked the entrance to the Area 11 secretariat, alleging that the government owed them ₦5.2 billion for projects reportedly executed over the past two years.

In response, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the FCT minister, challenged the contractors to provide proof that Wike approved the disputed contracts.

Olayinka explained that when Wike assumed office, he inherited outstanding bills of about ₦10 billion from what officials described as “minor procurement” or “shopping” contracts. According to him, the minister cleared those debts with over ₦5 billion paid in December 2023 and another ₦5 billion in January 2024.

However, Olayinka noted that by March, a fresh ₦15 billion claim surfaced, prompting Wike to question the legitimacy of the contracts.

“How can you claim to have executed jobs worth over ₦15 billion within three months without the minister’s approval?” Olayinka asked. “From ₦15 billion to ₦8 billion and now ₦5 billion — on whose authority were these contracts awarded?”

The FCT Administration maintained that Wike neither approved nor awarded any new contracts to local contractors, raising concerns about the origin of the latest debt claims.