By Ene Abu
In order to match infrastructure with the growing population of Abuja residents, a call has been made for increased funding for projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
FCT Minister Muhammad Bello who made the call while presenting the 2020 National Priority Budget to the House of Representatives Committee on the FCT, said better funding for the FCT Administration would enable it to fulfill its mandate of building a world-class capital city for Nigeria.
According to the Minister, the FCT Administration plans to spend N28,422,804,431.00 for the 2020 National Priority Budget.
He disclosed that in view of the poor performance of the 2019 National Budget, the FCT will reprioritize and rollover only essential on-going projects without making provision of any new project.
The number of projects were also reduced from 30 as contained in the 2019 National Budget to 13.
Highlights of the budget proposal includes the Development of Idu Industrial 1B Engineering Infrastructure, Rehabilitation and Expansion of Airport Expressway Project Lot 1, Counterpart Funding for the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project Lot 1 and 3, Construction of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Lot 1B and Rehabilitation of Federal Government Buildings amongst others.
Accoording to the Chief Press Secretary to FCTA, Anthony Ogunleye, members of the House of Representative Committee on the FCT agreed with the FCT Minister on the need for better funding provisions of the FCT considering the enormous responsibilities placed on the FCT Administration of providing a befitting Capital Territory for Nigeria.
On the minister’s entourage to the National Assembly were the FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; the Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa; the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Bashir Mai-Borno; and heads of secretariats, departments and agencies of the FCTA.
