The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday proposed a
National Priority Budget of N30,704,674.051 to the Senate Committee on
the FCT, based on the National Priority Budget capital envelop for the
2019 fiscal year for the Territory.
FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, presented the request, when he led
a delegation of senior FCTA officials to the National Assembly.
Bello revealed that about 30 strategic national projects are
envisaged. They include construction of the Abuja Light Rail Lot 1B
and Lot 1&3, provision of engineering infrastructure to several
districts, payment of counterpart funds, completion of the
International Technical and Vocational Institute, Utako and four
comprehensive science and technical colleges in Abaji, Kuje,
Gwagwalada and Karshi in addition to provision of primary
infrastructure, including road, water, sewage and power supply to mass
housing districts among others.
While giving performance analysis of various projects under the 2018
FCT national budget, Bello revealed that although
N32,298,122,862.00 was appropriated, what was actually released to
the FCTA was N9,689,436,861.77.
He also clarified that only 15 of the 33 priority projects listed for
implementation, were executed up to various stages.
The minister, however, attributed this to the non-release of funds to
the FCTA, a situation which he said was not peculiar to the FCT alone.
The Chairman Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Dino Melaye,
expressed his displeasure with the inadequate release of funds to the
FCT.
He appealed to the federal government to treat the FCT as a national
priority project and make available more funds for the development of
the Federal Capital Territory, saying
Abuja city is the seat of the federal government that also host about
90 percent of the foreign embassies in the country.
The senator noted that it would constitute a national embarrassment if
the utilities in the FCT are not functioning properly.
He also commended the FCT Minister for his transparent approach to
governance and prudent management of resources.
In another development, Bello has decried the wanton blockade of Abuja
city walkways by some individuals and organisations. He has also
ordered their immediate recovery to their original use by relevant
agencies and departments of the FCTA, describing it as an unlawful
act.
He gave this directive during the FCT Executive Committee meeting at
his residence.
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