Anger in Senate over late submission of 2022 budget by FCT

There was anger in the Senate Wednesday over late submission of 2022 budget by the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT, Abuja ) .

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

The N607.962billion 2022 budget for FCT, ran into trouble Waters in the Senate , when after presentation for second reading by the leader , Senator Ibrahim Gobir ( APC Sokoto East ) , Senator James Manager ( PDP Delta South) , frowned at it , for coming in October.

Senator Manager who repeatedly reminded the Senators that the year the budgetary proposals were meant for , is less than three months to roll away , subtly called for its rejection .

“Mr President , if I heard the Senate Leader right , the N607billion appropriation bill , presented for second reading , is for FCT and to be implemented in 2022 fiscal year which is less than three months to roll away .

” To me , this is very unfortunate and must be stopped.

” 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 ? “, he queried.

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

Aduda in his intervention said : ” 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 ” .

But the President of the Senate 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 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 .

” Infact , 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 in the 10th month of the year the budget proposals are meant for ” , he said.

Breakdown of the N607. 962billion 2022 FCT budget grudgingly passed for second reading by the Senate are ÷ N76.569billion for personnel cost , N138.199billion for overhead and N393.192billion for capital projects .