BREAKING: Why I Granted Wike’s Request To Remove FCTA From TSA — Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu said his administration’s decision to remove the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) was to accelerate development and enhance resident participation in governance.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday during a Sallah homage by FCT residents led by Minister Nyesom Wike, Tinubu stated that the decision was necessary to overcome bureaucratic hurdles that were slowing infrastructure growth in the capital city.
Tinubu revealed that Wike had approached him with a request to exempt the FCTA from TSA restrictions to enable more efficient project execution.
The president said he was convinced by Wike’s reasoning and quickly approved the request.
The exclusion from TSA grants the FCTA autonomy to use its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), estimated at over N250bn, for project development.
“I remember the day that the FCT Minister came to meet me, and he said, Please take us out of the problem of the TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more. I said, Show me what you are about to do, and he presented his thinking and belief.
“And everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas by the FCT, the resuscitation of abandoned projects, and the completion of the vice president’s official residence, which had been abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres, upgraded facilities for schoolchildren, and provided furniture,” Tinubu recalled.
He added that freeing FCT from TSA restrictions has catalysed infrastructure improvements, enhanced healthcare services, and increased security measures.
He identified achievements recorded since the TSA removal to include the opening up of rural areas, resuscitation of abandoned projects, and completion of the Vice President’s official residence that had been abandoned for years.
Tinubu further noted that the FCT has rehabilitated healthcare centres, upgraded facilities for schoolchildren, and provided furniture—developments that would not have been possible under the previous arrangement.
“We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate if not for the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT,” Tinubu said.
He encouraged FCT residents and other Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious colourations in their leadership choices and focus more on results.
“Today, we live in peace, and security is improving. Hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. We can go to the market and do business. And our diversity and belief in ourselves are becoming stronger.
“We are not looking for magic. We are looking for results. We are looking for comfort. We are praying for good health. We are looking for someone who cares,” the president noted.
“The job is not just about Wike or me, but everyone. Nyesom Wike is proving the diversity of Nigeria. He strengthened that diversity to develop prosperity, showing us that we are all members of one family, living together in the same house, in different rooms, and under one roof,” the president said.
President Tinubu urged more tolerance, broad-mindedness, and patriotism from citizens.
“All I appeal for is tolerance, which has brought us this far. We have learnt some lessons from Ramadan. May the lessons continue to be with us,” he said.
Wike thanked the president for hosting the residents in the State House.
“This visit marks a historic moment as it is the first time the FCT residents can extend our greetings and best wishes to you in person during this blessed period. We are genuinely delighted to be here,” said Wike.
He pledged his loyalty to the President and committed himself to developing the capital city, assuring that the FCT would soon complete many projects.
“Despite our varied backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
The Sallah homage was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, and an FCT delegation including members of the National Assembly, judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, security chiefs, and women and youth groups.
