By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has successfully defended the FCT’s proposed N1.78 trillion 2025 statutory budget before the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the FCT at the National Assembly.
According to a press statement from Rami Umar Musa, the Assistant Director, Press, Office of the Minister, the proposed budget has 72.30% (N1.29 trillion) earmarked for capital expenditure and 27.70% (N494.13 billion) for recurrent expenditure. Key allocations include: Infrastructure development, N383.5 billion; Transportation, N79.3 billion; Education, N181 billion, Health, N54 billion;
SUKUK Loan Projects, N80 billion; Abuja Light Rail Project, N25 billion; and Abuja Greater Water Supply takes N15 billion
The Minister emphasizes that the 2025 capital budget prioritizes completing critical ongoing infrastructure projects, including the completion of roads B6 and B12, Arterial Road, N20 billion, and FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road); Provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape, Wuye, and Maitama II District; and Extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) and construction of Northern Parkway
Barr Wike, however, outlined the FCT’s 2025 revenue fiscal framework, comprising Distributable revenue of N1.39 trillion and Non-distributable Revenue of N391.25 billion.
Informing lawmakers about the upcoming inauguration of completed infrastructure projects in the city center and satellite towns, scheduled to take place over 19 days starting June 10, 2025, to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office, he commended the National Assembly’s consistent support and swift consideration of the 2025 statutory budget proposal, urging for accelerated passage. He extended an invitation to lawmakers to attend the inauguration events.
FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike (middle) being welcomed to the upper chamber of the National Assembly by Senators during the FCT 2025 budget defense on Wednesday