The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appealed to the National Assembly on Friday for the approval of the N17 billion allocated to the FCT Administration in the 2024 national budget.
Wike presented the appeal during his appearance before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on FCT to defend the budget.
Former Rivers State Governor Wike emphasized that the allocated funds were crucial for completing abandoned projects and sustaining the implementation of vital initiatives in the FCT.
Breaking down the budget figures, he highlighted key allocations, including N5 billion for the Greater Abuja Water Supply project, N4.5 billion for the Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower, N3 billion for the rehabilitation of the federal secretariat, and N4 billion for the Vice President’s residence completion.
Additionally, Wike specified that N609.7 million was earmarked for settling residential and office accommodation for international organizations in the FCT. Addressing the lawmakers during the budget defense, Wike urged their support, stating, “The money is just N17.1 billion, so what can I say other than to say, please help us pass it.”
The Minister informed the committee that, of the N15.5 billion allocated for infrastructural development in the 2023 budget, only N8 billion had been released, representing 52 percent.
Responding to Wike’s appeal, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Ibrahim Bomai, acknowledged that the funds might not be sufficient to complete the projects. He, therefore, appealed to committee members to grant their approval, saying, “If you have no objection, we will ask the minister to take a bow and go.”
