By Nathaniel Zacchaeus Abuja
The Senate yesterday passed the N1.7trn 2025 Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for second reading.
This Senate action followed the reading of a letter from President Bola Tinubu seeking the consideration and approval of the proposed money Bill, which was read on the floor of the Red Chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved for the bill’s first and second readings on the same legislative day, urging the Senate to fast-track its passage.
Leading the debate, Bamidele explained that the bill is for the service of the FCT for the financial year starting January 1 and ending December 31, 2025.
Bamidele said the FCT Appropriation Bill sought to authorise the issuance of N1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund.
He said N150,353,906,168.00 has been allocated for personnel costs, N343,779,677,448.00 for overheads, while the remaining N1,289,690,124,776.00 has been earmarked for capital projects.
Bamidele said the budget was designed to ensure the completion of ongoing projects that directly impact infrastructure and the well-being of FCT residents.
He added that “a few new projects deemed necessary were also included in the budget.”
*Senators laud Wike over development
During the debate on the bill’s general principles at the Committee of Supply, several senators commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his efforts in improving the territory.
The Senator representing Lagos West, Idayat Adebule, highlighted the focus on education in the budget.
She said, “Educate a child, educate a nation.”
She expressed optimism that the impact of such investment would soon be felt across society.
Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi remarked that under the current administration, “Abuja is beginning to look like an urban city of 21st-century Africa.”
She called for oversight of the revenue and expenditure of the FCT funds.
Similarly, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi acknowledged the increased attention to infrastructure within the capital city but called for developing communities around the Abuja Airport.
He said, “The aerial view from an aeroplane when descending is an eyesore; it doesn’t give a good image of the country.
“I think the FCT Minister should capture this in their next project, or rather relocate the inhabitants of the people living in the airport and environs.”
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasised the importance of sustained funding for the FCT Administration to continue its development plans.
He also called for inclusivity in capital projects, particularly for underserved areas.
“The poor can be accommodated with correct infrastructure, water, healthcare, education, and they can live there peacefully,” he said.
While many focused on infrastructure, others drew attention to the FCT’s security state.
Senator Samson Ekong warned that development must go hand-in-hand with safety, saying, “Beyond infrastructure provision, there is a serious concern over the security in the nation’s capital.”
Senator Adamu Aliero stressed the need for additional infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population. “The population of the FCT is growing at a fast pace,” he said
He called for more schools, housing, and basic amenities.
Senator Victor Umeh criticised the high cost of land in the capital and called on the Minister to intervene, saying the high price of land is an impediment to the capital’s development.
He urged Wike to open up more areas in the FCT by providing roads, sewage, waste disposal, and other infrastructure to lower the exorbitant cost of land in the Territory.
In response to the various concerns raised, Senator Jim Kuta, Chairman of FCT Area Councils, assured the Senate that the administration is addressing the issues.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committees on FCT for further legislative action.
The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.
