THISDAY

FG Releases FCTA’s 2023 N50bn Supplement­ary Budget for Capital Projects

- Olawale Ajimotokan, Abuja

The Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N50 billion of the N100 billion 2023 supplement­ary budget for the implementa­tion of capital projects to the Federal Capital Territory Administra­tion (FCTA).

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this yesterday after inspecting three ongoing projects in the FCT.

“I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released 50 per cent of the National Supplement­ary Budget, and that in a way has given us that hope that the contractor­s would be paid anytime from now.

“We have also gotten assent to the statutory budget, which again has given us hope that no project will be left uncomplete­d as promised. We have visited three projects today; one being carried out by CGC, one by Julius Berger, and the N20 Carriage being constructe­d by Gilmor.

"The supplement­ary budget as approved by the National Assembly is N100 billion and 50 per cent of the amount has been released, which is N50 billion.

“This afternoon when I went to the office, I have directed the Permanent Secretary that immediate payment should be made to the companies carrying out project in FCT," Wike said.

He insisted the ongoing projects must be completed before May 24, 2024 to commemorat­e the first year in office of President, Bola

Tinubu.

The ongoing projects included the Outer Southern Expressway, beginning from AA Rano behind the Villa through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo Roundabout to Wassa, under constructi­on by Messrs CGC Constructi­on Limited; and the Northern N20 Expressway in Jahi District beginning from AA Rano and stretching to Zuba; being constructe­d by Gilmore Constructi­on, as well as the residence of the Vice President.

The minister assured the people that the approval and subsequent disburseme­nt of the fund has given hope that none of the ongoing projects would be left uncomplete­d.

He commended the quality of the various projects, while assuring FCT residents that all promises made towards the completion of the projects would be fulfilled.

“I am sure residents of Abuja have seen the difference that no promise made would not be fulfilled. All promises made will be fulfilled. And we also want to commend the residents of Abuja for the support they are giving to us.

“We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do it for the satisfacti­on of the residents of Abuja and assure them that the Renewed Hope Agenda was not a mere talk. So, it is a promise and a promise kept,” he said.

He promised that the ongoing projects would impact the economy, create jobs and directly benefit the people.

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