Reps assure on passage of FCT budget before Christmas recess

The leadership of House of Representatives on Thursday assured Nigerians of its resolve to pass the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s 2020 budget before embarking on the 2019 Christmas recess.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila gave the assurance during the debate on the general principle of the Appropriation bill.

Breakdown of the budget estimates showed that the sum of N53,876,241,095 is for personnel costs; the sum of N57,070,343,435 is for overhead costs while the balance of N121,928,781,417 is for capital projects for the service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the Financial year ending on 31st December 2020.

In his lead debate, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Akpatason explained that the bill seeks to ensure that the federal capital territory functions optimally and the budget cycle returns to the January to December period.

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He called on the House Committee on FCT to expedite action on the budget and ensure it is ready for passage by the House not later than Thursday, December 19th 2019 to ensure the January to December timeline is achieved

On her part, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Hon. Onuh Blessing stated that the FCT operates a dual budget as it functions as both a State and a Ministry, so the budget is for the smooth operation of the functions of the FCT.

She observed that passing the budget is for the good governance and socio-economic well being of the people of the FCT.

While ruling on the debate, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila expressed the desire of the House to get the FCT budget passed before the House adjourns on Thursday, 19th December 2019 to achieve the January to December timeline.

While urging the House Committee on FCT not to sacrifice the quality of scrutiny that the House is accustomed to, Hon. Gbajabiamila referred to the House Committee on FCT.