Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted November 2, 2023
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike has provided a breakdown of the N100 billion allocated to the FCT, from the Supplementary Budget, adding that N3.4 billion is earmarked for security equipment.
He further explained that part of the money would be used for the completion of the Abuja rail project among other infrastructure.
“Of course, there are infrastructure needs which have been abandoned before I came on board and these infrastructures need to be completed now that we have the 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 the rainy season next year this infrastructure and roads would have been completed.
Again, talking about the completion of rehabilitation and take off of the 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’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 and which I think with your support we are going to achieve it.
“The amendment I want to make is this. Yes, it provided for N22 billion. Our problem is the dollar component of the project. You know this project was awarded in Naira and Dollar components.
“Right now, the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (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, if we can provide for the dollar component of $7 million and whatever that is remaining will be the Naira component.
This is because we tried to pay them in Naira but they said that the contract was in Dollar and Naira components.”