Senate passes N241bn FCT budget

The Senate has passed the harmonised N241 billion budget of the federal capital territory (FCT) for 2016.

The passage of the budget followed presentation of report of the committee on FCT by the chairman, Dino Melaye.

Melaye said from the amount, the sum of N52.9 billion was for personnel cost, N34.4 billion as overhead costs, while balance of N154.1billion was for capital expenditure.

He said 80 per cent of the capital expenditure figure was for the completion of abandoned projects.

He added that while the territory’s 2015 budget had only 61 per cent budget performance, the committee had projected a minimum of 85 per cent to 90 per cent budget performance in 2016.

The budget was approved through a unanimous adoption in a voice vote.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki called for adequate implementation of the budget.

He urged the executive to ensure that monies for various projects were adequately released and utilised.

The breakdown of the capital component of the budget showed that Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) Engineering Services got N70.5 billion.

The Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA) got N21.7 billion, while FCT Administration received N2.7 billion.

Also, FCT Water Board was allocated N1.3 billion, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), N1.06 billion; Public Buildings, N12.4 billion and Resettlement and Compensation Department, N3.5 billion.

The FCT Treasury received N1.2 billion, Land Administration Department, N474 million; FCT Directorate of Muslim Pilgrims Affairs, N266 million and FCT Directorate of Christian Pilgrims Affairs, N161million.

Similarly, Urban and Regional Planning got N258 million, Survey and Mapping, N722 million; Mass Housing Department, N72 million; FCDA Procurement Department, N43.6 million.