FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike says government at all stages must make money to ensure social services can be provided to Nigerians.

The former Rivers State Governor made the comment at the maiden edition of the Abuja Business and Investment Summit organised by the Abuja Investment Company Limited.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Optimising Investment Through Partnerships’, he said notion that the federal government doesn't have money is wrong.

Citing examples of the government’s partnership with the private sector that went sour, Wike said 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 say 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 government is not to make money, how do we have money to provide services? The government needs money.

“That’s why the government say 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.”

The minister’s comment followed the move by the Federal Government to impose a 25% effective tax rate on rich Nigerians earning ₦100 million and above monthly in the country.