Senate approves Buhari’s request on Abuja budget

The Senate on Tuesday approved a request from President Muhammadu Buhari for the extension of the implementation of the N114 billion federal capital territory (FCT) capital budget to March 31.

The senate acceded to the request of the president and gave the bill an accelerated hearing as it was considered for second reading, third reading and passed.

Senate President Bukola Saraki directed the conference committee of the senate to harmonise its figures with the house of representatives.

Earlier, while presenting the bill for second reading, Ali Ndume, leader of the senate, noted that the 2015 FCT budget was approved on May 28, 2015, allowing only seven months for its implementation.

He said in order to meet the obligations of the FCT as requested by the president, the senate should give accelerated passage to the request for extension.

Ndume said in view of the seven months period, the FCT budget implementation only stood at 40 per cent, hence the need for the extension.

On February 23, Buhari requested the senate to extend the implementation of the budget to March 31.