From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has approved the second reading of the N1.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This followed the reading of a letter from President Bola Tinubu seeking consideration and approval of the proposal presented by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved for the first and second readings of the bill 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.
He said the bill seeks to authorise the issuance of N1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund.
According to him, N150,353,906,168.00 is allocated for personnel costs, N343,779,677,448.00 for overheads, while the remaining N1,289,690,124,776.00 is for capital projects.
Bamidele said the budget was designed to ensure the completion of ongoing projects that directly impact infrastructure and the wellbeing of FCT residents. He added that, “a few new projects which were deemed necessary were also included in the budget.”
During the debate on the general principles of the bill, several senators commended the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, for his efforts in improving the territory.
In response to the various concerns raised, Chairman of FCT Area Councils, Senator Jim Kuta, assured the Senate that the issues were being addressed by the administration.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committees on FCT for further legislative action. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.