The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerians to pay their taxes, noting that the government needs funds to cater to several services in the country.

He made this known at the first edition of the Abuja Business and Investment Summit organized by the Abuja Investment Company Limited held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Wike pointed out that the belief that the federal government does not need money was false while hoping for collaboration to foster investment opportunities.

Speaking on the government’s partnership with the private sector that went sour, Wike noted that the government won’t continue to commit billions of naira and land to investors who can’t guarantee a return on investment.

“These are the kinds of things the government looks into and says, how can I bring in the money and the land and at the end of the day, the government will not make a dime?

“When people say the government is not to make money, who told you that? If the government is not to make money, how do we have money to provide services? The government needs money.

“That’s why the government says pay your tax; it’s very important. And so, while we provide the enabling environment, we also believe that we have to encourage you (investors) so that you get what you are supposed to get and the government gets what it is supposed to get. That way, everybody will go home smiling,” he said.