…..As Wike laments abandon project over non payment
By Augustine Aminu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has explained that the N18 billion allocated to it in the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget being considered by the National Assembly, was not meant for the coming off cycle elections in Bayela, Imo and Kogi States alone.
This was just as theMinister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed lamented non the funding methodology of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit project.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who gave the explanation before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Wednesday, said “it is not all about election, as a substantial part of the budget is for personnel cost”.
According to him, there had been arrears of regular review of the emolument of staff members, which were not captured by the 2023 budget, and case had been made for that and accommodated in the supplementary budget, and also owed Duty Tour Allowances (DTAs) of staff members.
He further disclosed that owing to inevitable changes in certain parameters of the Commission’s running costs, there was need for adjustments, citing the increase in the pump price of fuel as one of such, which he said about N1.4 billion has been provided for in the supplementary budget.
He said there was also the case of vacancies that ought to be filled, as according to him, “after the inauguration of the National Assembly, and the State Houses of Assemblay, in just four months, 11 vacancies have occurred”.
Also on ground to defend the N300 billion allocation to his ministry was the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who lamented the poor state of Nigerian roads, disclosing how a recent tour from Abuja to Benin took him 14 hours due to bad road. He appealed for cooperation of the National Assembly to address the challenges in the road sector.
On his part, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa explained that the N100 billion allocation in the supplementary budget would be targeted at urban renewal and affordable housing.
Others who appeared before the committee were Minister for Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Defence, Muhammed Bdaru, Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike, and the nation’s security chiefs.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed concern over the funding methodology of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit project.
Wike said the contractor handling the project,China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was insisting that certain amount must be paid in dollar in accordance to the terms of contract.
Wike stated this on Wednesday when he appeared before the house of representatives Committee on appropriation to defend the FCT budget in the supplementary bill sent to the house by President Bola Tinubu.
While stressing the need for lawmakers to support him in completing the project, the minister explained: “I’ve been there as I came on board and Mr. President directed the day the Nigerian Bar Association held their annual conference that he wants to ride on this metro line, at least in his one year in office which I think with your support we are going to achieve it.
“The amendment I want to make is this. Yes, the project was provided N22bn. Our problem is the dollar component of the project. You know this project was awarded in Naira and Dollar component.
“Right now, the contractor, CCECC is saying that they need their $7 million component. I will plead if it is possible with this 22bn if looking at the differentials, we can provide for the dollar component of $7 million and whatever that is remaining will be the Naira component.
“This is because we try to pay them in Naira but they said that the contract was in Dollar and Naira component.”
Wike said the FCT was allocated N100 billion in the supplementary bill, adding that N3.4 billion has been budgeted for security to buy equipment and logistics.
While expressing confidence that most of the infrastructure projects in FCT, especially roads will be fixed before the next raining season, Wike assured lawmakers that they would see significant changes in the nation’s capital before the 2024 budget defence.
He said: “A lot of us are aware of the situation. So many people have complained about basic infrastructure, insecurity and about the docility of FCT.
“What is allocated to FCT N100 billion and out of that amount, we are requesting for 3.4 billion for security to buy equipment, vehicles and all that security agencies have complained of lack of vehicles and logistics. We have issues of one chance and all that. Insecurity has been the problems of FCT before I came on board and so we thought that we should be able to tackle it head on by providing logistics to various security agencies.
“Of course, there are infrastructure needed which have been abandoned before I came on board and these infrastructures are needed to be completed now that we have dry season coming. When I came on board, I had to make some of these contractors like Julius Berger, to go back to work
“I believe that before we enter raining season next year this infrastructure and roads would have been completed. Again, talking about the completion of rehabilitation and take off of Abuja rail project. You will agree with me that this project that Mr. President takes so important, and which will help in decongesting our traffic situation.
“I want to adopt all that has been provided here that if we are giving this we will see changes in Abuja before we come for the 2024 budget defence.”
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kabir Bichi said the engagement was necessitated by the request from President Bola Tinubu for approval of the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget, stressing the need for the affected ministries to explain how they intended to apply the funds.
In his address, Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara observed that out of the total sum of N300 billion requested for by the FCT administration, only N100 billion request was sent by the Executive for the approval of the Legislature.
He however assured that the balance of N200 billion will be captured and considered during the 2024 budget defence.