Senate panel demands more allocation for FCT in 2018 Budget

The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to make provision for capital projects in the 2018 Budget for the capital city.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, who stated this during the budget defence of Federal Capital Territory, expressed dissatisfaction with 40.1 per cent implementation of capital projects in the 2017 Budget.
Melaye also expressed dissatisfaction with depletion of FCT budget from N105 billion to N40 billion.
According to him: “My worry is on depletion of FCT budget from N105 billion to N40 billion.
“The N40 billion is a proposal and we are not likely to get it.
“Therefore, the committee needs to write strong worded letter to the Senate President to allocate more fund to FCT in 2018 budget.”
Melaye said apart from provision of facilities, there is the need to keep the city clean.
He said the committee is waiting for response of the FCT administration on its proposal to bring in banks and allocate streets for them for beautification.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of the FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, confirmed that 27 infrastructural projects are being prioritised in the territory’s 2018 Appropriations Bill currently being considered by the Senate.
Bello told the lawmakers of implementing 40.1 per cent of the 2017 Budget, proposing N40 billion for 2018.