Focuses on provision of engineering infrastructure to districts
Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) has presented a National Priority Budget of N30,704,674.051 to the Senate Committee on the FCT.
Chief Press Secretary to FCTA Anthony Ogunleye in a press release to Viewpoint Housing News said the budget presentation was made by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the sum is based on the National Priority Budget Capital Envelop for the 2019 fiscal year for the FCT.
He revealed that a total of 30 projects which include provision of engineering infrastructure to several districts, payment of counterpart funds, construction of the Abuja rail mass Transit (LOT1B), Abuja Rail Mass transit (LOT 1and 3), completion of the International Technical and Vocational Institute Utako and four comprehensive science and technical colleges in Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Karshi as well as the provision of primary infrastructure (road, water, sewage and power supply) to mass housing districts amongst others.
On the performance analysis of various projects under the 2018 FCT National Budget, the minister revealed that while a total of N32, 298,122,862.00 was appropriated the sum of N9,689,436,861.77 was actually released adding that of the 33 priority projects listed for implementation, only 15 were executed up to various degrees.
He however attributed this to the non-release of funds to the FCTA, a situation which he said was not peculiar to the FCT alone.
While expressing dissatisfaction at the inadequate release of funds to the FCT, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Dino Melaye appealed to the Federal Government to treat the FCT as a national priority project and release adequate funds for the development of the FCT.
He said that Abuja city hosts the seat of the Federal Government along with about 90 percent of the embassies in the country and is the first port of call of all foreign dignitaries that visit Nigeria.
He said it would be a national embarrassment if facilities and utilities of the FCT are not functioning properly.
Melaye also commended the FCT Minister for his transparent approach to governance and prudent management of resources.
