Senate threatens FCT with zero budget allocation over delayed presentation

Gobir

Following the late submission of the N607.962billion 2022 budget by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the Senate has ordered the authorities to make available the 2023 budget proposals latest by next week or risk zero allocation for the fiscal year.

The late submission of the 2022 budget in October this year caused anger on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday after presentation for second reading by the Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East).

Leading the protest was Senator James Manager (PDP Delta South), who repeatedly reminded his colleagues that 2022 which the budgetary proposals were meant for, is less than three months to roll away and subtly called for its rejection.

He said: “Mr. President, if I heard the Senate Leader right, the N607billion appropriation bill, presented for second reading, is for FCT and to be implemented in 2022 fiscal year which is less than three months to roll away.

“To me,, this is very unfortunate and must be stopped.

“What are the people saddled with drafting of the proposals doing since January? Are they aware that we are already in the 10th month of the year?, he queried.

In preventing rejection of the proposals, the Senator representing FCT, Philip Aduda hurriedly rose to tender apology on behalf of FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, for late submission of the 2022 budget proposals.

Aduda in his intervention said: “Mr. President, it is very unfortunate that the 2022 FCT budget is submitted for consideration in October but I seek the indulgence of this Senate to consider it by passing it for second reading as moved by the leader.”

But the Senate President in his remarks said submitting the 2022 budget proposals in October is not only unfortunate, but unacceptable.

He directed the chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West), to liaise with FCT Minister on the unfailing submission of 2023 budget next week.

“What the FCT did on its 2022 budget submission in the month of October is not only unfortunate but unacceptable.

“Honestly speaking, this should not be accepted by us but for the interest of innocent residents of FCT, it will be considered.

“However, similar action from FCT will not be accepted as far as late budget submission is considered.

“Infact, as a warning in that direction, FCT should unfailingly submit for consideration, its proposed budget for 2023 next week or keep to itself.

“This Senate will no longer consider this type of approval seeking submissions in in the 10th month of the year the budget proposals are meant for,” he said.

Breakdown of the N607. 962billion 2022 FCT budget grudgingly passed for second reading by the Senate are N76.569billion for personnel cost, N138.199billion for overhead and N393.192billion for capital projects..