By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the N1.15 trillion 2024 proposed FCT Statutory Budget was designed to transform the capital city and rural communities.

Wike stated this when he appeared before the Senate and House Committees on FCT, to defend the proposed statutory budget, in Abuja on Monday.

He explained that out of the N1.15 trillion, N421.44 billion was earmarked as recurrent expenditure, representing 36.7 per cent, while N726.3 billion was set aside for capital expenditure, representing 63.3 per cent.

He also explained that the proposed capital expenditure would be dedicated for the development of infrastructure with emphasis on completion of ongoing projects.

Wike added that out of the N726.3 billion proposed capital expenditure, N80 billion was allocated for SUKUK loan projects, while N29 billion was earmarked for Abuja Light Rail project.

The minister also said that N500 billion was for commercial loans for the completion of some ongoing capital projects in the federal capital city and satellite towns.

He said that the balance of N117.3 billion was dedicated to the completion of ongoing capital projects and other counterpart funded related projects, aimed at enhancing socio-economic activities in the FCT.

Wike said that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) got the larger chunk of the capital budget.

He said that FCDA got N457 billion, STDD N116 billion, while other Secretariat, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) got N153.3 billion.

This, according to him, is to address critical areas like ongoing road construction, completion of water treatment plant and related facilities and few new projects.

He explained that the N457 billion allocated to FCDA was for the provision of infrastructure within and around the capital city, of which N282 billion was for ongoing projects, while N175 billion was for new critical projects.

“Some of the critical projects to be executed by the FCT Administration in the 2024 statutory budget proposal are the completion of Roads B6 and B12 and construction of access road and car park for Abuja Light Rail.

“Full scope development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape, and provision of engineering infrastructure to Wuye District.

“There is also the extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) from Southern Parkway (S8/S9) to Ring Road II (RRII), full scope development of FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to OSEX with Spur at Kyami District,

“Construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III (6.2Km), full scope development of N5 and N20 and provision of engineering district infrastructure to Asokoro Island Layout in the FCT.

“The sum of N198.5 billion is earmarked for the above eight major roads to speed up their completion before the end of 2024 fiscal year.

“The expansion and rehabilitation of these roads will eventually reduce the travel time and traffic gridlock on our roads within and outside the city,” he said.

The minister added that the transportation sector got N69 billion, of which N32 billion was for the construction of Bus Terminals Development at Kugbo, Jahi and Central Business District.

He said that N80.3 billion was proposed for education sector, while the health sector got N45.7 billion.

“The health budget seeks to complete the construction of hospitals in Gwagwalada, Gwarimpa and Utako Districts to enhance the capacity of some of our hospitals through the procurement of modern ambulances for eight FCTA hospitals,” he said.

Wike also said that a total of N7.9 billion was proposed for FCT Agriculture and Rural Development sector to improve agricultural production and engagement of youths in agriculture,

This, the minister said, would enhance food security, income, and better standards of living in the rural communities.

“We shall invest in the provision of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, agro-chemicals, and fertiliser among others.

“We shall also develop cluster farm centres in both the livestock and crop production sub- sectors,” he added.

Wike equally said that N5 billion was allocated to the Social Development Secretariat for the promotion of gender, youths, children development, and other vulnerable groups in the FCT.

“It will also be used for the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s art and culture within the FCT, including the development of sports through the provision of sporting, cultural and recreational facilities,” he said.

Wike also said that the Legal Services Secretariat got N5.6 billion for the provision of legal services, while N1.2 billion was earmarked for the Abuja Geographic Information System.

The minister further said that the sum of N4.2 billion was proposed for the Area Council Services Secretariat to ensure effective and efficient service delivery for rural transformation, improve the quality of lives of citizens.

“The secretariat is also expected to strengthen the traditional institutions as effective tools for mobilisation of people at the grassroots to achieve the developmental goals of the FCT Administration,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman Senate and House Committees on FCT, Ibrahim Bomai, and Muktar Betara respectively, who commended the minister for the development stride in the FCT, assured him the full support of the National Assembly. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has appointed Mr Chidi Amadi, as his Chief of Staff.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, announced the appointment in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Ogunleye said that Amadi, a former Chief of Staff to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, was appointed for his vast experience in public service.

He added that Amadi had held several strategic political positions, including Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“As Chief of Staff, Amadi will play a pivotal role in supporting the FCT minister in the formulation and execution of policies and programmes aimed at advancing the development agenda of the territory.

“He will also provide strategic guidance, as well as ensuring the smooth functioning of the minister’s office” he said.

The director said that Amadi would be sworn into office on March 18. (NAN)

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

By Philip Yatai

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has congratulated Dr Udo Atang over his appointment as Head of Federal Capital Territory Civil Service.

Eno, in the congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh, in Abuja on Thursday, thanked President Bola Tinubu for finding Atang worthy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu had, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of Atang, the most senior director in the FCT Administration, as its pioneer Head of Civil Service.

Ten other persons were appointed as Permanent Secretaries.

The statement quoted Eno as describing Atang’s appointment as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s spirit of inclusivity.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom, we thank Tinubu most profoundly and pledge our loyalty and unalloyed support to his administration.

“To Dr Atang, I have no doubt that given your professional prowess in public service, you will rise to the occasion and acquit yourself creditably. Accept our ongratulations,” the governor said.

Atang hails from Ikot Udota community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. (NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), in Abuja on Thursday, inaugurated its Lagos State Executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.

Its National President, Alhaji Musa Maitakobi, who inaugurated the executives, cautioned all members of the association against violence in Lagos and other parts of the country.

Maitakobi said, “Lagos state is very important to the association and any member found creating trouble would be dealt with.”

He also expressed the association’s support for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reform the transport sector and tackle all forms of thuggery around motor parks.

Maitakobi said that the constitution of the association frown against thuggery and any forms of violence.

He emphasised the need for unity and mutual respect among the executives and members of the association.

” If you are working in the chapel and they remove you, the association will find another place for you. We want to show that truly we have forgiven ourselves.

” Let us come together and operate together. Thanks and God bless you.”

In his inaugural speech, the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, Oba Sulaiman Raji-Adeshina, pledged to run an all-inclusive administration devoid of rancour.

He also promised to sanitise all motor parks against unethical conduct and criminality.

He thanked Maitakobi for ” forgiving all the Lagos executives of the RTEAN.

” He (Maitakobi) is a father to each and everyone of us. I also thank the electoral committee for its transparency and accountability.

” I pledge that I will do my best and carry the association to an enviable position and I plead with all the executives and members that are here and those that are not here that let us work together as one family.

“We are all RTEAN in Lagos and Abuja, the nation’s capital,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new executives were sworn-in by the National Legal Adviser of RTEAN. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has distributed food items to lepers in Abaji, Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils as part of efforts to fight hunger among vulnerable residents.

Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, said during the distribution in Abaji, Abaji Area Council on Wednesday that the gesture is under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.

She explained that the food items included rice, indomie, macaroni, semovita, couscous and spaghetti, among other items.

She said that the food items, distributed to lepers and other residents, would be extended to other vulnerable groups.

She identified the vulnerable groups to include women, youths and widows across the six area councils of the FCT.

Presenting the food items to the leprosy colony in Yangoji, Abaji Area Council of the FCT, the mandate secretary said that the initiative was designed to achieve zero hunger among vulnerable groups in FCT.

She added that “this is a special intervention from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, aimed at putting food on the tables of the poor and vulnerable in communities.

“The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, are working with the Office of the First Lady to ensure availability of food in rural areas.”

She assured residents of government commitment to end their suffering, particularly through increased access to staple foods.

Responding, the leader of the Leprosy Colony, Mr Ali Isa, thanked FCTA and the first lady for the gesture, which he described as lifesaving.

He said ‘ we are very happy today. I have seen the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Initiative of the first lady in action.”

The Women Leader of the colony, Hajiya Sadiya Abubukar, who equally commended the gesture, said that the move was a demonstration of government’s commitment to meet the needs of the poor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food items were also distributed to youths, widows and other vulnerable persons at Kulo and Iddo Sarki communities in Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils respectively.

So far, more than 1,000 lepers, poor and vulnerable women, youths and widows received the food items. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu