Senate threatens zero allocation for FCT in 2023 budget over late submission of proposal

The Senate on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the submission of the 2023 budget proposal by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The upper legislative chamber ordered the authorities of FCT, to make available, the 2023 budget proposal latest by next week or risk zero allocation for the fiscal year.

The N607.962billion 2022 budget for FCT, ran into troubled waters in the Senate after it was presented for debate by the Senate leader, Ibrahim Gobir.

Senator James Manager (PDP Delta South), who was the first to draw attention to the lateness, reminded the Senators that the year the budgetary proposals were meant for, is less than three months to roll away, and called for its rejection.

“What are the people saddled with drafting of the proposals doing since January? Are they aware that we are already in the 10th month of the year ?” Manager said.

In preventing rejection of the proposals, the Senator representing FCT, Philip Aduda hurriedly rose to tender an apology on behalf of the FCT Minister for the late submission of 2022 budget proposals.

“Mr President, it is very unfortunate that the 2022 FCT budget is submitted for consideration in October but I seek the indulgence of this Senate to consider it by passing it for second reading as moved by the leader,” Aduda said.

But the President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan in his remarks said submitting the 2022 budget proposals in October is not only unfortunate but unacceptable.

He directed the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West), to liaise with FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello on the unfailing submission of 2023 budget next week.

“What the FCT did on its 2022 budget submission in the month of October is not only unfortunate but unacceptable

“Honestly speaking, this should not be accepted by us but for the interest of innocent residents of FCT, it will be considered.

“However, similar action from FCT will not be accepted as far as late budget submission is considered.

“In fact, as a warning in that direction , FCT should unfailingly submit for consideration, its proposed budget for 2023 next week or keep to itself .

“This Senate will no longer consider this type of approval-seeking submissions in the 10th month of the year the budget proposals are meant for.”