Reps may okay N1 trillion budget for the FCT, rallies support for Wike
Written by Adeola Ibrahim on November 9, 2023
Indications have emerged that the federal capital territory (FCT) may enjoy the budgetary provision of N1 trillion in the 2024 financial year.
The chairman of the House committee on the FCT, Mr Muktar Betara Aliyu, dropped the hint during the inauguration ceremony of the committee at the national Assembly complex, Abuja.
Aliyu argued that there is the need for such a humongous amount of monies to provide the enabling environment for the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to implement his development agenda while on the saddle.
The lawmaker maintained that there is little or nothing the Minister can do to FasTrack the development of the FCT with a paltry budgetary allocation of N90 billion.
He said. “We are planning that in 2024, he should take off with N1 trillion and above budget. If we have our ways, we will raise the budget because we have a serious Minister that want to work,”
“So I am pleading with the committee to support Nyesom Wike to enable us get more revenue next year so that 10th national Assembly would leave a lasting legacy.”
The lawmaker remarked that the resolve by the Minister to embark on aggressive revenue drive regarding payment of ground rents, revoke undeveloped plots, demolition of illegal structures were steps in the right direction.
He added that: “We appreciate your visionary leadership and the giant strides you have taken towards the infrastructural development of our beloved Capital City through completion of on-going and abandoned projects, and the commencement of new ones.
“The improvements we have witnessed under your stewardship in the last few months have significantly enhanced the living conditions and overall well-being of our residents. The resuscitation of the Abuja Light Rail Project would address the challenges faced by our transportation system and ensure the smooth flow of traffic and accessibility for all.
“Likewise, we applaud your efforts in removing the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account, which has facilitated the smooth funding for execution of these projects. Furthermore, your relentless commitment to enforcing and boosting collection of revenues on tenement charges has been remarkable.”
However, a member of the committee, Mrs Regina Akume urged the FCT minister to thread with caution over the demolition of illegal structures in view of the hardship faced by Nigerians as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.
She particularly recalled the plight of a widow with 4 children whose house left to go through excruciating pains after her house was demolished by the FCT authorities.
Mark Obeta, another member of the committee called on the FCT minister to open up the satellite towns as a means of decongesting the Abuja city centre.
The Minister who express appreciation over the support accorded him the lawmakers called for the speedy passage of several bills relating the establishment of the school of nursing and midwifery, the outdoor advertising bill,HIV /Aids control agency, and the social health insurance and other related matters bill.
Represented by the permanent secretary of the FCT, Mr Adesola Olusade , he explained that the resolve to construct 5 kilometres road in the area councils was aimed at decongesting the city centre.
