By Sarah NEGEDU
Statutory allocation to the Federal Capital Territory recorded an astronomical increase in the month of March, 2024, as allocation to the six area councils and other stakeholders rose by over 40percent.
The increase brings March allocation to N6,316,621,045.37 billion, as against the N3,938,092,102.92 billion distributed in February, 2024.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who presided over the 188th Joint Account Allocation Committee, JAAC, meeting expressed satisfaction over the increase, and urged the area council authorities to justify the monthly allocation by embarking on meaningful projects.
Mahmoud said, “the allocation to the area councils as its stands today goes beyond payment of staff salaries. It is, therefore, high time for the chairmen to embark on people orientated projects to justify the resources that goes to the councils”.
A breakdown of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicates that the sum of N3,814,043,951.50billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,502,577,093.87billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N6,316,621,045.37billion.
Further breakdown of distributions to the area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, received the largest allocation of N796,985,326.39 million, followed by Kuje with N635,903,823.41million. Kwali got the third largest allocation of N611,179,951.02 million, while Gwagwalada got N606,666,131.20million.
Other area councils include, Bwari Area Council received N598,406,880.71million, and Abaji with N564,901,838.77 million, bringing the total sum to N3,814,043,951.50billion disbursed to the six area councils.
Meanwhile, distribution to other critical stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers gulped N2,115,855,089.92billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57million, One percent Training Fund gulped N52,394,108.75million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,502,577,093.87billion.
Those present at the 188th Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting include the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy to FCT Minister of State, Dr. Abdullahi Isa Kauramata, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services Secretariat, Hon. Bitrus Garki, Permanent Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Dr. Olusa Olusegun, Ag. Director of Funds, Mr. Muhammed Aris, Commissioner FCT Revenue Mobilization Fiscal Allocation Commission, Hon. Ismail Ajaka and the representative of the Accountant General’s Office, Mr. Muhmud Nasiri.
Others include the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Maikalagun, Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya and representatives of the chairmen of Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Council amongst others.
