Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has made history, hitting 95 per cent in the performance of the 2024 budget, which is in operation until June this year.
Wike revealed this yesterday when he inspected three different projects to be commissioned by the President during his second anniversary.
Briefing the press after the inspection, Wike said, “I can tell you, we’ve done not less than 90 to 95 per cent of the budget implementation; that is historic. That has never happened before. If you look at the projects, there is no project in 2024 that we have not touched.”
Meanwhile, the Minister said the FCT 2025 budget has been forwarded to the National Assembly by the President, but the National Assembly is still in recess.
He hopes they will commence the passage when they reconvene on April 25.
“We believe when they return, we’ll defend the 2025 Appropriation Bill.”
He explained that the projects are not hindered as all the projects are for 2024.
“That is not hindering the projects. These projects are part of the 2024 budget, which is extended to the end. So we are doing what is within the law.”
The Minister’s first port of call was the International Conference Centre, where workers were seen working. The outside tiling is completed, and the scaffolds outside have been removed, just like the ceiling outside.
The contractor said the chairs are ready, but they are waiting for other inside works before installing them, just like the carpet, which is ready but yet to be installed.
However, they assured me the place would be ready for commissioning in May.
He also visited the N5 road, which is the Obafemi Awolowo Way extension through Life Camp.
According to the contractor, the entire road will be ready by November this year. But the portion of the bridge will be prepared by May. The road stretch connects to Old Keffi road to Suleja in Niger State.
On N11, which runs through Gishiri, Judges Quartets, and the new Mabuchi Bus Terminal, which is under construction from Wole Soyinka Way in Jahi district, the contractor said they were ready to deliver before May.
The Minister said that, based on his assessment, he was impressed.
“Frankly speaking, we are very impressed. The contractors handling these various jobs have lived up to expectations, and we are also doing our part by making sure payments are made so that there will not be delays from either side. The quality of jobs is quite impressive. I’m so happy with the National Conference Center.”
