By Raphael Ekpang
The joint committee of Senate and House of Representatives on Federal Capital Territory has resolved to embark on Oversight on Tuesday in order to determine the level of implementation of 2021, 2022 FCT BudgetMeanwhile, the joint session chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi vowed to make sure FCT, Abuja is the pride of Nigeria with which every Blackman all over the world can be proud of .
Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi in his opening remark on the budget deliberation on FCT 2022 Statutory Appropriation Bill and the FCT component of the FGN 2023 National Appropriation Bill said the “Committee, through its oversight duty, will strongly support and complement the efforts of the Honourable Minister in the fight against corruption and any administrative abnormalies like misappropriation of funds or misapplication of the laws as the case may be.”
He said “We, as a Committee, have resolved to better the lot of all residents of the FCT by ensuring the full implementation of this Budget.
“In all advanced and most developing countries, citizens and organized private sector await annual budget release with nostalgia. This is so because the budget outlines government’s current fiscal policies. However, I urge all of us here present to maintain an unshakeable sense of optimism about Nigeria. We must together believe in our future.
As men and women of great achievements and accomplishments in our respective fields of endeavour, it is my hope that the Federal Capital Territory under our leadership, shall experience fundamental development.
“We would ensure through our oversight duty that the beauty and status of the Federal Capital Territory is not only the pride of Nigeria, but that which every Blackman all over the world can be proud of.
“The Senate Committee on FCT hereby places Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) on notice for an oversight visit on Monday, 24th and Tuesday, 25th October, 2022. The full strength of the Press Corps shall be engaged.
“In discharging our duties, we shall be transparent, courageous, fair and will always be guided by our Constitution, Rules, and Parliamentary Conventions. We shall protect the rights of all Nigerians and be guided by the fear of God.”
Lawmakers also lamented on the non – existence of reliable transport system. They lamented that several persons have been killed due to non activities of criminals ‘one chance vehicle’
The legislators said on assumption of office about 7 years ago, the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello banned commercial busses from entering Abuja city but till date, no framework or transport scheme.
Bello said the comments and observations of the lawmakers are very germane and the FCTA under his leadership will do its best.
According to Bello, 2021 FCT is about,N300 billion while that of 2022 is N607 billion. Meanwhile, the FCT Minister presented the sum of N13.5bn for national priority budget proposal.
