By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday sought approval of the National Assembly to spend N61.6 billion 2023 supplementary budget.

Wile made the appeal when he appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

He said that the supplementary budget was to accommodate additional inflows comprising receipts from Paris Club Refund, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax Liabilities, and Special Intervention Funds.

Other sources are Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the Infrastructure Support Fund, leading to a revised budget of N641.3 billion as against the N579.7 billion earlier budgeted for 2023 financial year.

He explained that the funds, if approved, would be channelled towards completion of priority projects in the infrastructure sector.

The minister added that the projects, if completed, would improve ease of transportation, provide gainful employment for the citizenry, and achieve positive impact on the citizens in general.

“In order to complete prioritised projects and programmes, I planned to apply a funding plan that guarantees payments to the contractors on a monthly basis, following payment of mobilisation as applicable.

“Balances thereon, are to be paid through the issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) against the IGR of the FCT Administration.

“Unfortunately, provisions for some of the projects identified as priority are either insufficient or not provided in the FCT 2023 Statutory Appropriation,” he said.

Giving breakdown of the supplementary budget, the minister said that N25.8 billion was from Paris Club Refund, and N14.3 billion as refund of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System/PAYE tax liabilities.

Others are N5 billion as special intervention fund, N9,4 billion IGR and N7 billion from infrastructure support fund, amounting to N61.6 billion.

He identified some of the priority projects, such as the resurfacing of existing roads and remedial work Phase I and II, and completion of road B6, B12 and Circle Road in Abuja Central Area.

Other projects are full scope development of arterial road N20, from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway and construction of Southern Parkway from Christian Centre to Ring Road I.

The funds would also go into the rehabilitation and expansion of Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Osex/Ring Road I Junction, including four interchanges and provision of access road to Kabusa Garden Estate.

Other projects to benefit from the supplementary budget include the completion of the Vice President’s residence awarded since 2010, but abandoned due to lack of funds, and construction of cultural centre and millennium tower.

Also included is the rehabilitation of National Christian Centre and National Mosque, and provision of mass transit buses and rehabilitation of existing and serviceable vehicles, among others.

The minister said that the projects would be completed before May 29, 2024, and would be inaugurated among the deliverables of President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.

“I wish to crave for the committee’s kind consideration passage of the above proposal as a supplementary appropriation to the 2023 Statutory Appropriation Act of the FCT passed by the National Assembly and signed by Mr President,” he pleaded.

The Chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mr Muktar Betara, commended Wike for his passion to develop the territory.

He, however, urged the minister to reconsider the uniform fees pegged as charged for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy.

He stressed that people living in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse and others should not pay the same fees as those in satellite towns.

Also, the Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Mr Ibrahim Bomai, also lauded the minister’s initiative to complete ongoing projects while other issues like security, education and health were provided for in the 2024 budget. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Philip Yatai

The Joint Task Force on City Sanitation of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has dislodged artisans and traders operating illegally under high tension wires in Katampe Extension, Abuja.

The task force also displaced suspected criminal elements, who erected illegal structures in reserved green zones, including FCT Water Supply Facility, serving as safe haven for criminals in the area.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCTA, who led the exercise in Abuja on Monday, expressed concern over the invasion of the area by the artisans and traders, including criminals.

Galadima, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, said it was dangerous for anyone to build a house or operate any kind of business under high tension wire.

Describing the development as “fatal”, the director disclosed that the exercise was the fourth attempt to clear the area but the culprits returned whenever they were cleared.

“We have done this in several locations, and we are here again in Katampe Extension where the culprit returns to the area after we send them packing.

“We will keep doing this until we finally get rid of them for good.

“We are working in partnership with the Residents’ Association of Katampe Extension and FCT Parks and Recreation Department, to ensure proper utilisation of green areas to prevent illegal traders and criminals from occupying the areas,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Isa Abdulmalik, Assistant Director, Maintenance, Parks, and Recreation Department, said that plans have been concluded to establish a neighbourhood park for recreational activities.

Abdulmalik added that similar areas have been recovered and transformed into parks.

He identified some of the areas as Kabusa, Gaduwa, Guzape, and Apo Dutse among others, adding that the initiative had helped in curbing illegal activities and occupation of open spaces by hoodlums.

On his part, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, FCTA Command and Control Centre, said that the action became necessary following complaints by residents of the areas about the activities of hoodlums.

“We have seen incidents of people coming here to sell drugs and commit all kinds of social vices.

“The clearance operation is to sanitise the area and ensure the security and safety of residents,” Olumuji said. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2024 appropriation bill of N27.50 trillion for the 2024 budget with a N1.5 trillion increase from earlier estimated bill.

The government had proposed N26.2 trillion earlier but had reviewed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) that was approved by the National Assembly.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, announced this on Monday at the end of the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

He said that the new proposal was legitimate because all appropriation was dependent on the final process that could be changed due to many variables including new priorities and MDAs presentations.

Bagudu said that MTEF that was approved by the National Assembly put the exchange rate at N700 per dollar and oil price benchmark of 73.96 dollars.

He added that the FEC revised the MTEF to use an exchange rate of N750 to a dollar and oil price benchmark of N77.96 in order to further fund the eight priority areas of the administration.

He said that the president would give more breakdown of the budget during presentation to the National Assembly., stressing that the presentation date would be decided by the National Assembly.

The minister said that the 2024 forecast revenue would now be N18.32 trillion higher than the 2023 budget and the supplementary budgets provisions, adding that the revenue projection is also N18.32 trillion higher than in 2023.

The minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, said that the Federal Government has secured funds from the African Development Bank for budget support.

He said that the one billion dollars funds would aid effective implementation of the government reform policies as well as ensure transparency and accountability in the various tax reforms.

He added that it would be used in areas such as power, ensuring efficient utilisation of tax revenues, adding that it was not for project funding.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reopened the barricaded slip road interchange and four other roads in the FCT, Abuja, to ease the flow of traffic.

The roads are Galadimawa interchange, Dogon Gada, Dogon Ruwa, Apo-Dutse, and Gada Biyu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roads were barricaded during the rainy season as a mitigating measure against flooding and to prevent loss of lives and properties.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, told journalists after the exercise in Abuja on Saturday, that opening of the roads would ease the flow of traffic in the affected areas of the city.

Wenegieme said that the roads were barricaded on May 11, because of the recurrent flooding of the roads during the rainy season.

“The onset of the rain in Abuja is usually in the month of May hence the need to barricade the roads. You are all aware of what has been happening around this slip road every year.

“To the glory of God, no life was lost in this area from 2020 to 2022 because we made a tradition to block the road during the rainy season.

“It has become part of our mitigating measures to save lives and properties in the FCT by making sure that this slip road and other vulnerable roads are barricaded.

“This is to stop vehicular movement, pedestrians and those using motorcycles from using this road during the rainy seasons.

“Now we decided to open them to ease traffic since the rainy season is over,” she said.

She commended stakeholders and residents for their understanding and support throughout the raining season, adding that the removal of the temporary barricades would reduce traffic gridlock in the affected areas.

The director also announced the commencement of 2023 dry season sensitisation campaign against incessant fire outbreaks in the FCT.

She pointed out that the season was characterised by fire outbreaks, stressing the need for residents to be cautious while handling cooking gas, petroleum products, electrical appliances, and other inflatable items.

She urged residents to switch off all electrical appliances, keep a fire extinguisher at homes and shopping malls and advised against keeping petroleum and other flammable substances at homes and shops.

Wenegieme also warned residents against bush burning and operating businesses under high tension electric cables.

She appealed for the full cooperation of residents during rescue efforts in the FCT. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Aderonke Ojediran

Lagos, Nov. 24, 2023 (NAN) The Bread of Hope Foundation, through its subsidiary Children of the Slum (COS), took no fewer than 150 children from Makoko to the Silver Bird Cinema, at Ikeja City Mall.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the spirit of the Christmas season on Friday children aged between two and 17 years were taken to experience the thrills of the the cinema scene.

NAN reports that Bread of Hope is an international registered Non-Profit Organisation (NGO) working globally in low income earning communities.

The NGO,  founded two years ago by Vivian Okojie, has the mission to empower children and build their confidence in life.

Okojie expressed joy as she and her team were able to put a smile on the faces of the children.

“Today was an opportunity to help children living in Makoko, often unseen, often unheard to see beyond their present circumstances, to dream bigger.

“I believe if a child can see it, a child can be it. But in order to become, he or she must be given a clear picture of the possibilities. Today was a day of many firsts for 150 children.

“But it is also the beginning of Bread of Hope’s commitment to make sure children in underserved communities are heard, are seen, and are inspired to become more,” she said.

The children were treated to a Disney movie title Wish and given carbonated beverages and popcorn to nibble on while they watched the movie.

Deborah Adebisi, an 11 year old girl, told NAN she was excited to visit the Ikeja City Mall, adding that “I want to say a big thank you to our sponsors. I have never seen a place like this”.

Similarly Richard Maseka, a 17 years old Primary four student, told NAN he had never stepped outside of Makoko community.

“Even in my dreams I can’t picture this because I have never seen a place like this. Since I’ve been born I have never been out of Makoko. I will forever cherish this experience,” he said.

The children were taken for some ice-cream and pizza at the Domino’s pizza and a fun day at the DLA Amusement Park Ikeja.

Oludare Adebiyi, the Project Manager of Bread of Hope, told NAN that the NGO is focused on giving children from the slum the possibility to dream big and not be confined because of their environment.

“This won’t be a one-off thing. Hope is all we all need most especially children, learning for them shouldn’t just be about the classroom. Their enthusiasm for this movie outing is contagious.

“Some of our challenges is the fact that everything is being monetised, by the same community we are trying to help, for instance we were told to pay before we got on the boat.

“We hope to have more partners get involved and give us their support,” he said.

Similarly, Temple Lawrence told NAN that the joy on the faces of the children shows that there’s hope for them in the future.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz