Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has presented a supplementary budget proposal of N61.553,778,259 billion to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees of the National Assembly.
According to a press release from the minister office and signed by the director of press, Anthony Ogunleye, the FCT minister, making the presentation before the National Assembly on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in Abuja, said that the supplementary budget is to accommodate additional cash inflows to the FCT to ensure the completion of prioritized projects and programmes of the Administration.
He explained that the additional cash inflows comprise of receipts of N25.8 billion Paris Club Refund, N28.6 PAYE Tax liabilities from federal agencies, N5 billion Special intervention funds (palliatives) from the Federal Government, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N9.4 billion and N5 billion Infrastructure Support Fund.
Of the N61.55 billion proposed sum, N12.9 billion is for overhead costs, while N48.6 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure.
Some of the capital projects that will benefit from the supplementary budget include the resurfacing of existing roads and remedial works phase I and II, completion of roads B6, B12 & Circle Road in the Abuja Central Area, Full Scope Development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) and Construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre (S8/9) to Ring Road I (RRI).
Others are the provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Wuye District, Provision of Access Road to Kabusa Garden Estate, Provision of Mass Transit Buses/Rehabilitation of existing and Serviceable, Rehabilitation of National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Design and Construction of Vice President’s residents, amongst others.
The Minister further revealed that contractors had previously left due to non-payment, necessitating National Assembly approval to reinstate them and ensure project completion by May 2024.
Emphasizing these as crucial presidential deliverables, the Minister highlighted plans for extensive advertising to enforce ground rent payment and Certificate of Occupancy recertification.
Additionally, efforts to defend the FCTA in litigations and differentiate the FCT’s supplementary budget from the national one, which allocates funds for metro lines and road projects, were discussed.
The plea for swift approval from the National Assembly was made, promising a surge in project commissioning the following year.
In his remarks Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Hon. Mukhtar Betara commended the FCT Minister for his passion and commitment to the development of the FCT.
Other members of the Committee also called for improved security and increased CCTV surveillance in the FCT as well as the provision of road infrastructure, education and health facilities in the satellite towns.
Barrister Wike was also commended for the improved street lighting in the city which has greatly enhanced security.
The Minister was accompanied by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, Mandate Secretaries, Directors and other senior officials of the FCT Administration.