The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that some corrupt civil servants in the FCT Administration (FCTA) illegally awarded contracts worth N5.2 billion without his approval.
Wike, who disclosed this while addressing senior officials of the administration in Abuja on Tuesday, expressed shock that such huge financial commitments were entered into without due process, describing the action as reckless and unacceptable.
According to him, the contracts were smuggled through the system by unscrupulous staff who colluded with contractors, bypassing laid-down procedures and the ministerial approval required for such projects.
“These are not just mistakes; they are deliberate attempts to defraud the system. Imagine civil servants awarding contracts of over N5.2 billion without the minister’s approval. Who gave them that power?”
The minister vowed to probe the matter thoroughly, insisting that those found culpable would be sanctioned and possibly handed over to anti-graft agencies. He noted that the administration would no longer tolerate acts of impunity that put public funds at risk.
Wike stressed that government resources must be used for projects that directly impact residents of the FCT, warning staff against cutting corners.
“Let me be clear: no one will spend a kobo of FCT funds without following due process. If you think you can continue the old ways of business as usual, you will have yourself to blame”.
The disclosure comes as the FCT Administration continues its financial reforms to curb leakages, block revenue diversion, and instill transparency in public service.
Observers say Wike’s move may trigger a shake-up in the FCTA as more irregularities are uncovered in ongoing contract reviews.
