Senators commend Wike for allocating 72% of 2025 FCT budget to capital projects

Senators have commended Nyesom Wike for allocating 72 percent of the budget for the federal capital territory (FCT) to capital projects.

The lawmakers handed the commendation on Wednesday when Wike appeared before the senate committee on FCT to defend the territory’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Addressing the committee, Wike explained that out of the N1.78 trillion budget, N1.28 trillion, representing 72.3 percent, was allocated to capital projects, while N494.1 billion, 27.7 percent, will cover recurrent expenditure.

The minister said road projects in the city centre and satellite towns would be handled by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the satellite towns development department (STDD).

Wike said some projects in Guzape, Wuye, and Maitama districts.

“Also for completion are the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III (6.2Km), full scope development of Arterial road N20 from Arterial road N5, and rrehabilitation of Old Keffi road,” the minister said.

“The full scope development of Arterial road N1 from Wuye district to Ring Road II, and the provision of access road to bus terminals in FCT would also be completed.

“Other ongoing road projects include the dualisation and upgrading of Ushafa War College/army checkpoint road and other Ancillary Roads, and construction of Pai to Gomani road in Kwali area council and dualisation of Kuje to Gwagwalada road.”

Ibrahim Bomai, senate committee chairman on FCT, commended Wike for the projects recorded in the city within the few period he has been in office.

Bomai also expressed satisfaction with the 2025 FCT budget.

“What FCT has presented is one of the best budgets so far. Also, the N608 billion projected internally generated revenue for 2025 shows a significant improvement,” he said.

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, compared the current state of the FCT to Johannesburg and Cairo, capitals of South Africa and Egypt respectively, citing the recent surge in infrastructure development.

Ali Ndume, the Borno south senator, said anyone familiar with the state of Abuja two years ago compared to now can see that Wike has “done well”.

“Even yesterday, my friend told me that Wike is doing fine, and I said no, it is the senate that is doing fine because without approving his budget, he cannot do anything,” he said.

Osita Izunaso, senator representing Imo west, commended the FCT budget, noting the reduction in personnel costs to free up more funds for capital projects.

“People (ministries, departments, and agencies) come here, and they increase the personnel cost, but you have reduced the personnel cost in the 2025 proposed budget by N21 billion from the amount allocated in 2024,” he said.

“Secondly, you have more capital expenditure than recurrent. This is commendable.”

Adams Oshiomhole, the senator from Edo north, said Wike is one of the country’s most performing ministers.

“What Wike has done is worth noting but commendation,” he said.

The minister also defended the budget before the house of representatives committee on FCT.

Muktar Betara, chairman of the house committee on FCT, commended Wike for various ongoing projects in the territory.