Abuja, Nigeria – November 30, 2023 – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has presented a statutory supplementary budget proposal of N61,553,778,259 billion for the year 2023 before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees of the National Assembly.

Purpose of the Supplementary Budget:

Making the presentation in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister Wike disclosed that the supplementary budget is essential to accommodate additional cash inflows into the FCT. The aim is to ensure the completion of prioritized projects and programs of the administration.

Sources of Additional Cash Inflows:

The additional cash inflows include:

• N25.8 billion Paris Club Refund
• N28.6 billion PAYE Tax liabilities from federal agencies
• N5 billion Special intervention funds (palliatives) from the Federal Government
• Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N9.4 billion
• N5 billion Infrastructure Support Fund.

Allocation of Proposed Sum:

• Overhead costs: N12.9 billion
• Capital expenditure: N48.6 billion

Key Projects Benefiting from the Supplementary Budget:

1. Resurfacing of existing roads and remedial works phase I and II
2. Completion of roads B6, B12 & Circle Road in the Abuja Central Area
3. Full Scope Development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX)
4. Construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre (S8/9) to Ring Road I (RRI)
5. Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Wuye District
6. Access Road to Kabusa Garden Estate
7. Mass Transit Buses/Rehabilitation of existing and Serviceable
8. Rehabilitation of National Mosque and National Christian Centre
9. Design and Construction of the Vice President’s residence, among others.

Challenges and Solutions:

Minister Wike highlighted that many contractors had left project sites due to non-payment of contractual obligations by the FCT Administration. The supplementary budget aims to secure funds to bring contractors back to various sites, ensuring project completion before May 2024.

The Minister also emphasized the need for extensive advertisements in national newspapers to enforce ground rent payment and proposed recertification of Certificates of Occupancy, improving FCT’s revenue and document security.

Defending FCTA and Litigations:

To address numerous litigations against the FCTA (numbering about 800), Minister Wike announced plans to engage senior advocates of Nigeria for an effective defense. He clarified that the FCT 2023 supplementary budget is distinct from the national supplementary budget allocated to the FCT for national projects like the metro line and road projects.

Call for Approval:

Minister Wike urged the National Assembly to promptly approve the supplementary budget, promising numerous project commissions in the FCT next year. The projects are part of presidential deliverables targeted for completion by May 2024.