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Reps Panel Approves N288bn FCTA Supplementary Budget

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives’ Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has approved a N288 billion supplementary budget for the FCT Administration (FCTA).
Naijablitznews.com reports that in a letter transmitted from President Bola Tinubu to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the budget includes N8 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N280 billion from miscellaneous revenues. This supplementary budget aims to cover additional funds needed for FCTA projects.
During the budget defense meeting, Chairman House Committee on FCT, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, explained that the urgency of passing the budget was to support critical development projects in the FCT.
Betara further stated that the FCT Minister had confirmed that most of the budget’s requests for additional funds were already part of the 2024 statutory budget passed by the National Assembly. He also clarified that there are no new projects, except for two new line items.
The Committee agreed to present the report during Thursday’s plenary, as the projects need to begin immediately due to time constraints.
In President Tinubu’s letter to Speaker Abbas, he highlighted the progress made on ongoing projects in the FCT:
“Indeed, residents of the Federal Capital Territory are in high spirits and excited by the scale of ongoing projects within the City Centre and across the six Area Councils. The socio-economic impact is gratifying and shows that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is being fulfilled quickly”, the statement reads in part.
The President also emphasized the importance of capital projects in the 2024 budget of the FCT, which will significantly impact infrastructure and manpower development.
He stressed that some critical projects were left out of the 2024 budget and must be included to meet the 30 per cent procurement requirement under the law.
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Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

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In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

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He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

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Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

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This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

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Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

  • Federal Medical Centre, Bida
  • Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
  • Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
  • Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
  • Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
  • Federal College of Education, Yola
  • Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
  • Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
  • Federal University of Technology, Minna
  • Cross River Basin Development Authority
  • Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
  • National Examination Council (NECO)
  • Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
  • Presidential Amnesty Programme
  • Galaxy Backbone
  • Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

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Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.
Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.
Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.
He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.
“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”
Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.
He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.
“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.
In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.
He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.
He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”
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