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.