SHOCKER ! Wike Sends Unexpected Message To NASS Over FCT Budget, BEGS Them To Do This
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urged the National Assembly on Friday to grant approval for the N17 billion earmarked for the FCT Administration in the 2024 national budget. Wike, the former Rivers State Governor, presented his plea while appearing before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on FCT to elucidate the proposed FCT budget.
During his presentation, Wike detailed the allocation, elucidating that N5 billion is designated as counterpart funding for the Greater Abuja Water Supply project, while N4. 5 billion is earmarked for the design and construction of the Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower. Additionally, N3 billion is allocated for the rehabilitation of the federal secretariat, and N4 billion is set aside for the completion of the Vice President’ s residence. Moreover, Wike disclosed that N609. 7 million is budgeted for the settlement of residential and office accommodation for international organizations in the FCT.
Emphasizing the need for the funds, Wike asserted, ” The money is just N17. 1 billion, so what can I say other than to say, please help us pass it, ” during the budget defense session with lawmakers.
Highlighting the context, Wike informed the committee that, in the 2023 budget, only 52 percent of the N15. 5 billion allocated for infrastructural development was released, totaling N8 billion. Responding to this, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Ibrahim Bomai, acknowledged that the available funds might fall short of completing the envisaged projects. In light of the financial constraints, Bomai appealed to fellow committee members to consider approving the budget without objections, suggesting, ” If you have no objection, we will ask the minister to take a bow and go. “
