Nyesom Wike has defended his administration’s spending policies, saying he will not approve public funds for what he considers unnecessary overseas trips by government officials.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike said some civil servants are unhappy with his leadership because he has blocked practices he believes encouraged the misuse of public funds. He maintained that government resources should be directed toward projects that deliver tangible benefits to residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister said his administration has prioritised infrastructure development, including roads and other public facilities, rather than what he described as wasteful expenditure.
Questioning the value of some official foreign trips, Wike argued that public officials seeking knowledge on land administration should first study experiences within Nigeria.
“We mismanage our resources on trivial matters… How can you persuade me to spend ₦20 million to go to America for a one-week conference on land management? I will not do it,” he said, adding that cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt offer practical lessons in urban planning and land administration.
Wike said his administration would continue to scrutinise expenditure requests to ensure prudent management of public funds.
