By Sarah NEGEDU
Despite the expiration of the 2024 budget approaching in June, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has assured residents that ongoing infrastructure projects across the territory will not be stalled.
This is as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hinted that the administration has already submitted its 2025 budget proposal, which is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu soon.
The minister who disclosed this while inspecting some ongoing project across the city, said the administration will not have funding issues by the time the 2025 budget is passed.
“As of yesterday, I have sent our 2025 budget as approved by the FCT Executive Committee. By today or tomorrow, Mr. President will transmit it to the National Assembly.
“The 2024 budget will expire in June, but the funds allocated for these projects are still being utilized. Once the 2025 budget is passed, we anticipate continued progress on all ongoing developments,” he added.
Wike, also highlighted the importance of infrastructure investment, stressing that the completed projects will contribute to economic growth and urban development in the FCT.
While expressing satisfaction with the level of work done so far at the International Conference Center, the minister also emphasized the need for a sustainable approach to project maintenance.
He revealed plans for a long-term maintenance contract with Julius Berger so as to address issues of poor maintenance culture.
“One problem we have in this society is a lack of maintenance culture, which is very bad. When we finish, we are going to have a maintenance contract where people will rent the facility, and the money generated will be used to pay the company that maintains it.
“Nigeria needs an international conference center of global standards. But first, let us maintain the one we have before we talk about building a second one,” he said.
He assured that key road networks, including those linking Maitama and the Judges’ Quarters, would be inaugurated as part of Tinubu’s second-year anniversary.
He added that the FCTA remains focused in ensuring that critical projects including the rehabilitation of the ICC, two interchanges on Wole Soyinka Way (N20), the N16 interchange at NICON Junction, as well as selected projects across the satellite towns, would all be completed and ready for inuguration to mark President Tinubu’s second year anniversary.
