The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, defended the territory’s proposed N1.78 trillion 2025 statutory budget before the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the FCT at the National Assembly complex.
In separate presentations, Mr Wike highlighted that a significant 72.30 per cent of the total proposed budget, amounting to N1,289,690,124,776, was earmarked for capital expenditure while the remaining 27.70 per cent, totaling N494,133,583,616 was for recurrent expenditure.
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A detailed overview of the capital budget estimates presented by the minister revealed key allocations of N80 billion for SUKUK loan projects, N25 billion for the Abuja Light Rail project, N15 billion for Abuja Greater Water Supply, and N250 billion from commercial loans to complete ongoing capital projects in the FCC and satellite towns.
The remaining N919,690,124,776 was dedicated to the completion of ongoing capital projects and counterpart-funded initiatives aimed at boosting socio-economic activities across the FCT.
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A further breakdown of the capital expenditures showed that N801.5 billion was allocated to the FCDA, N137 billion to the STDD, and N351.2 billion to other Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies (SDAs) for their capital expenditures and select new projects.
Mr Wike emphasised that the 2025 capital budget prioritises the completion of critical ongoing infrastructure projects. These include the completion of roads B6 and B12, the full-scope development of Arterial Road N20, the provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape, Wuye, and Maitama II Districts, the extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX), and the full-scope development of FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road).
Other vital projects include the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, the full-scope development of Arterial Road N20 from Arterial Road N5, the rehabilitation of Old Keffi Road, the full-scope development of Arterial Road N1, and the provision of access roads to Bus Terminals. Additionally, the upgrading of Ushafa War College/Army Check Point Road, the construction of Pai-Gomani Road, and the dualization of Kuje-Gwagwalada Road are included.
On recurrent expenditure, N150,353,906,168 (8.43 per cent of the total) was proposed for personnel costs, while overhead cost was allocated N343,779,448 (19.27 per cent).
Sectoral highlights of the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget proposal showed that the infrastructural sector (Roads, District Development, and Public Buildings) was allocated N383.5 billion, the transportation sector has a provision of N79.3 billion, the education sector has a budgetary proposal of N181 billion, and the health sector has a proposed sum of N54 billion in the year 2025.
Other sectors, such as environment, was allocated the sum of N22.9 billion, Water sector got the sum of N37.4 billion, agriculture got the sum of N8.3 billion, social development sector got the sum of N23.7 billion, legal services got N7.7 billion, land administration got N1.5 billion while Area Councils Services Secretariat was allocated the sum of N3.1 billion.
The minister also outlined the FCT’s 2025 revenue fiscal framework, comprising distributable revenue of N1,392,573,937,087 and non-distributable revenue of N391,249,771,305. Revenue sources include proceeds from one per cent of the 52.68 per cent statutory allocation of the Federal Government from the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and other sources as detailed in the Revenue Fiscal Framework.
Mr Wike reiterated the FCT administration’s commitment to completing ongoing projects, many of which were initiated by previous administrations. He expressed it’s determination to see the projects to conclusion.
The minister acknowledged and commended the National Assembly’s consistent support for the FCT Administration, specifically praising the swift consideration of the 2025 statutory budget proposal.
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“It’s not been long that Mr. President sent this to you and expeditiously, you’ve done the first and second reading and now we are in Committee stage. It has never happened. Since your inception, you have always given us that support. We have never suffered any delay in budget passage. We want to say that we will not take this for granted. We will continue to cooperate with you for the development of the FCT,” he stated, while urging for an accelerated passage of the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget proposal.
He also informed the lawmakers about the upcoming inauguration of completed infrastructure projects in the city centre and satellite towns. He disclosed that the inaugurations were scheduled to take place over 19 days, commencing on June 10, 2025, to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
Mr Wike used the occasion to extend an invitation to the lawmakers to attend the significant events.
RABI MUSA UMAR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
21/05/2025
FCTA/ODP/PR/688
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