Wike urges Senate to approve FCT budget of N17 billion
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has implored the National Assembly to give the green light to the N17 billion earmarked for the FCT Administration in the proposed 2024 budget.
Appearing before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT in Abuja, Minister Wike elucidated that the allocated sum is crucial for completing abandoned projects and sustaining the implementation of essential initiatives.
Of the N17.1 billion allocation, Wike specified that N5 billion is designated as counterpart funding for the Greater Abuja Water Supply project. Additionally, N4.5 billion is allocated for the design and construction of the Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower.
The minister further broke down the allocation, highlighting N3 billion for the rehabilitation of the federal secretariat and N4 billion for the completion of the Vice President’s residence. Moreover, N609.7 million is budgeted for settling residential and office accommodations for international organizations in the FCT.
“The money is just N17.1 billion, so what can I say other than to say, please help us pass it,” urged the minister to the lawmakers.
Providing insight into the previous budget’s performance, Wike noted that N15.5 billion was appropriated for infrastructural development in the 2023 budget. However, only N8 billion was released, constituting 52% of the allocated funds.
The fate of the 2024 budget for the FCT Administration now rests in the hands of the National Assembly, as deliberations on the appropriation continue.