Wike presents N61.5 billion 2023 FCT supplementary budget to NASS

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday presented a 2023 supplementary budget of N61,553,778,259 billion to the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT.

While presenting the budget, Wike said the supplementary budget was to accommodate additional cash inflows to the FCT to complete projects that have already been prioritized.

The Minister explained that the cash inflows include receipts of N25.8 billion Paris Club Refund, N28.6 PAYE Tax liabilities from federal agencies, N5 billion Special intervention funds (palliatives) from the Federal Government, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N9.4 billion and N5 billion Infrastructure Support Fund.

According to him, the sum of N48.6 billion has been earmarked for capital expenditure out of the N61.55 billion supplementary, while the sum of N12.9 billion was for overhead costs.

He listed some of the capital projects to include, “the resurfacing of existing roads and remedial works phase I and II, completion of roads B6, B12 & Circle Road in the Abuja Central Area, Full Scope Development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) and Construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre (S8/9) to Ring Road I (RRI).

“Others are the provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Wuye District, Provision of Access Road to Kabusa Garden Estate, Provision of Mass Transit Buses/Rehabilitation of existing and Serviceable, Rehabilitation of the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Design and Construction of Vice President’s residents, amongst others.”

The Minister lamented that contractors handling various projects across the FCT have deserted them due to non-payment of contractual obligations by the FCTA.

The FCT administration, Wike said, required the consent of the National Assembly via appropriation to utilize the needed funds to get the contractors back to the various sites.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Betara commended the FCT Minister for his passion and commitment to the development of the FCT.

Other members of the Committee also called for improved security and increased CCTV surveillance in the FCT as well as the provision of road infrastructure, education and health facilities in the satellite towns.