The Nigerian Senate has approved the sum of N98.5 billion as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2024.
The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on FCT, delivered by Senator Osita Ngwu on behalf of the committee’s chairman, Senator Bomai Mohammed, during a plenary session on Tuesday, June 11.
The bill had previously been set aside due to insufficient details, as noted by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who presented the initial estimates without a breakdown of the funds or specified projects.
This led to objections from Senators Ede Dafinone and Sani Musa, who called for more transparency regarding the allocation and utilization of the funds by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the concerns over the lack of details but suggested that the bill should proceed to a second reading.
When put to a voice vote, the “nays” were loudest but he did not put the gravel to it.
The presiding officer quickly called the Senate leader to approach the chair, and the bill was subsequently stepped down to allow the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike provide detailed explanations on the specific projects tied to the funds.
The Senate later received the necessary details from the chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Ibrahim Bomai.
However, it was resolved that not all senators would receive a copy of the document for a full debate, leading to the eventual passage of the supplementary budget.
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