Bala Defends FCT’s N271 Billion 2014 Budget

Top management officials of the FCT Administration led by the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Thursday appeared before the House Committees on FCT and FCT Area Councils to defend the Administration’s 2014 budget of N271,125,103,635.00.
The Minister in his remark during the defence session at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, noted that out of the total budget, the sum of N159,032,636,920.00 was proposed for Capital Expenditure.
Senator Mohammed said that the sums of N 62,891,521,857.00 and N49,200,944,858.00 were earmarked for Overhead Costs and Personnel Costs respectively.
According to him, with the proposed expenditure the Capital Expenditure has 59 percent of the total 2014 budget; while the Overhead and Personnel Costs have 23 percent and 18 percent respectively.
He stated that the 2014 proposals mark an increase of the sum of N600,107,613 (1.2%) and the sum of N8,398,135,545 (21%) against the 2013 appropriation and actual expenditure respectively.
The Minister further said that the proposed increase of 1.2% over the year 2013 Appropriation would cater for promotions, annual increments, upgrading and new salary structure for Health and Medical Personnel.
His words: “The increment for the Overhead Costs is deliberate to cater for the improved operation of critical services such as security, city cleaning, Traffic Management, 10% IGR Contribution to Area Councils,Chemicals for Water Treatment, Streetlights Maintenance”.
The Minister emphasized that 85% and 15% have been earmarked in the Capital Expenditure for On-Going Projects and New Projects respectively because it is the intention of the Administration not to condone abandoned projects.