Senate Approves N2.285 Trillion 2026 Budget For FCT

The Senate on Thursday approved the N2.285 trillion 2026 budget for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja.

Approval of the budget proposal by the Senate followed the report submitted by its Committee on FCT to that effect.

In the report presented by the Vice Chairman of the committee, Senator Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), a total of N1.741 trillion, representing 76 per cent of the entire budget estimate, is earmarked for capital expenditure. At the same time, N165.7 billion is allocated to personnel expenditure, and N378.231 billion to overhead costs.

According to Akobundu, the N1.741 trillion earmarked for capital expenditure in the proposed budget represents 76.1 per cent of the total budget estimate. In comparison, the combined personnel and overhead costs of N544.6 billion represent 23 per cent of the budget.

The budget proposal, he added, focuses mainly on infrastructure development in the FCT and the provision of required utilities and facilities for residents across the six Area Councils.

Impressed by the proposal, the majority of senators who debated it urged the Senate to grant it expeditious passage, saying the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, is working and should be encouraged to do more.

Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau (Kano North), in his contribution, commended the FCT Minister for what he described as wonderful work in the territory.

“Mr President, the report presented to us for consideration and approval should be approved without any hesitation.

“The FCT Minister is doing wonderful work in the territory through the implementation of budgets with impact, budgets of development every year.

“We need to commend him for practically showing willingness to continue to build the FCT and urge him not to waver in making Abuja one of the best cities in the world,” he said.

The Senate, however, after the passage of the appropriation bill for third reading, requested the projected revenue profile for the fiscal year from the FCTA.