By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Barr. Nyesome Wike has made a budget proposal presentation totaling N1. 78trn to the National Assembly saying 73.3 per cent of the budget was earmarked for capital projects, while 14 ongoing road projects within the territory have also been captured for completion.
Wike made this disclosure on Wednesday during his budget defence before the joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives of the FCT in Abuja.
He said N801.5 billion was allocated to the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, while N137 billion was allocated to the Satellite Towns Development Department, STDD, for the completion of the road projects.
The Minister during the outing at the National Assembly mentioned earmarked capital projects such as extension of Inner Southern Parkway to Ring Road 11, and full scope development of FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway OSEX with spur at Kyami District.
“Also for completion are the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III (6.2Km), full scope development of Arterial Road N20 from Arterial Road N5, and Rehabilitation of Old Keffi Road.
“The full scope development of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye District to Ring Road II, and the provision of access road to Bus Terminals in FCT would also be completed.
“Other ongoing road projects include the dualisation and upgrading of Ushafa War College/Army Check Point Road and other Ancillary Roads, and construction of Pai to Gomani Road in Kwali Area Council and dualization of Kuje to Gwagwalada Road.”
Wike appealed to the lawmakers for approval of the proposed statutory budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Some of the lawmakers could not hide their happiness over the numerous transformation that has taken place in FCT under Wike in the last two years.
Among the lawmakers who spoke to commend the good work of Wike was the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole who described Wike as one of the best performing ministers under the APC led administration.
” Before Wike’s assumption as Minister, too much money was being spent on overhead with very little available for infrastructure, but “what Wike has done is worth noting and commendation.”
He praised the FCT Minister for implementing programmes aimed at making the life of residents of territory residing in rural communities more better.
Other lawmakers took turns to applaud the exemplary performance and dedication of the FCT minister to deliver the dividend of democracy to FCT residents in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
