Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has said the Federal Ministry of Finance has released N50 billion to the FCT to finance ongoing capital projects.
Wike said the amount was 50 percent of FCT’s N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly.
He disclosed this after an inspection tour of some ongoing projects in the FCT yesterday.
The minister said he had directed the permanent secretary to immediately make payments to the contractors handling projects in the nation’s capital.
He said, “I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released 50 percent of the national supplementary budget. That in a way, has given us the hope that the contractors will be paid anytime from now.
“We have also gotten assent to the FCT Statutory Budget, which again, has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised. As you can see, these are quality projects, which we are very satisfied with.
We believe that the arrangements made by the contractors will enable us to commission the projects to celebrate Mr President’s one year in office,” he said.
The minister commended the residents of Abuja for their support, while assuring them that there was no promise made that would not be fulfilled, stressing that a promise made would be fulfilled.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered on schedule, saying “we are quite hopeful; we are quite convinced that they would keep to the time scheduled as agreed.
One of the projects inspected is the Outer Southern Expressway, which stretched from A.A Rano, through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo roundabout to Wasa District.
The road is being constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited.
Wike also inspected the Northern N-20 Expressway in Jahi District being constructed by Gilmor Construction firm and the Vice President’s residence being constructed by Julius Berger.
