THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has presented a National Priority Budget of N30,704,674.051 to the Senate Committee on the FCT.
Presenting the budget when he led a delegation of senior FCTA officials to the National Assembly complex, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the sum was based on the National Priority Budget Capital Envelop for the 2019 fiscal year for the territory.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, a copy of which was made available to Tribune Online in Abuja, the minister announced a total of 30 projects for the benefits of the entire populace.
The projects, according to him, include the 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, as well as Karshi and provision of primary infrastructure (road, water, sewage and power supply) to mass housing districts amongst others.
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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 FCT administration, 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, Senator 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 Abuja city hosts the seat of the Federal Government along with about 90% of the embassies in the country and is the first port of call of all foreign dignitaries that visit Nigeria.
Senator Melaye said it would be a national embarrassment if facilities and utilities of the FCT were not functioning properly.
The committee chairman then commended the FCT minister for his transparent approach to governance and prudent management of resources.
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