NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAILS WIKE’S TRANSFORMATION OF ABUJA, APPROACHES APPROVAL OF N1.78 TRILLION FCT BUDGET
The National Assembly has widely praised Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike for what lawmakers described as rapid and transformative improvements to Nigeria’s capital. During a session to defend the proposed N1.78 trillion FCT statutory budget for 2025, legislators across party lines lauded Wike’s infrastructure overhaul, urban reengineering, and budget discipline.
Senator Ibrahim Bomai, chair of the Senate Committee on the FCT, called the proposal one of the most ambitious in the territory’s history, highlighting its unprecedented projection of ₦1.7 trillion in revenue and an internally generated revenue (IGR) target of ₦608 billion. He commended Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud for capital-intensive planning, with 72.3% of the budget earmarked for infrastructure.
Senators Abdul Ningi and Mohammed Ndume compared Abuja’s renewed outlook to major cities like Johannesburg and Cairo, emphasizing visible change within just a year. Senator Adams Oshiomhole credited Wike’s strategy of investing in rural areas as a key factor in reducing urban congestion, while Senator Osita Izunaso highlighted the administration’s decision to reduce personnel costs by ₦21 billion and prioritize capital projects—a break from the past.
In a notable shift, Senator Ireti Kingibe, a vocal critic of Wike and representative of the FCT under the Labour Party, acknowledged the minister’s undeniable achievements. In the House of Representatives, FCT Committee Chairman Hon. Muktar Betara echoed similar commendations.
Wike, in his presentation, stressed the need for swift legislative approval, arguing that efficient capital deployment will consolidate progress and align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
