From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Ezenwo Wike, is seeking to access funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF) to enable him to complete the projects in Abuja.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, the chairman praised the developmental strides the minister is undertaking in FCT.
The chairman who was represented by Ambassador Desmond Akawor, praised the projects of the minister adding that they would go a long way to ease the movements and well-being of the citizens
“The commission welcomes the innovative approaches of the minister to develop some of the natural resources of the FCT through agriculture, solid minerals and tourism sectors in order to accelerate the socio-economic development of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole” he said.
According to him, the projects are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of economic diversification drive under the President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Akawor informed that the 1.68 per cent Development of Natural Resources Fund is one of the items under Special Fund establishment by the Revenue Allocation (Federation Account, etc) Act CAP A15 LFN, 2004. He further said that the fund receives direct allocation from the Federation Account on monthly basis which is added to the share of the Federal Government to be kept in trust for the three tiers of government.
The committee chairman revealed that the fund was meant for economic diversification through agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism development.
He explained that to access the fund, the commission established a procedure where the requesting entity i.e., the three tiers of government are required to make a formal presentation to the commission through the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee.
Akawor adding that the committee would thereafter carry out a physical assessment visit to the requesting entity to certify the viability of the issues raised during the presentation.
This, according to him, will be followed by a report with recommendations on what is appropriate to be given to the requesting entity and finally a letter containing the recommendations will be sent to the president and Commander in Chief for his approval.
Akawor, therefore, assured the delegation that the committee would ensure fairness and equity on making sound recommendations to the request by the FCT while being guided by the objectives for the establishment of the fund.
Earlier, the Acting chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) Mr. Michael Ango, who represented the Minister of FCT, had said that the fund would go a long way in completing the numerous projects of the territory.
Such projects, he said, include, the construction, rehabilitation, and desilting of dams across the FCT to enable year-round crop production, including Lower Usuma Dam, Pedan Dam, Jabi Lake Dam, and Kilankwa Dam.
Others are installation of solar-powered irrigation systems to support dry season farming and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, establishment of six mechanisation service centres and procurement of tractors, harvesters, and other equipment to support small-holder farmers so as to boost agricultural output; provision of crop-specific harvesting and on-farm storage technologies to reduce post-harvest losses and extend market access; modernisation of grains and cattle markets and improvement of animal breeding and veterinary services, and development of the FCT’s tourism sector and exploration of its solid mineral potential.