SENATE PASSES ₦1.7 TRILLION FCT APPROPRIATION BILL FOR SECOND READING

The Nigerian Senate on July 10 passed for second reading the ₦1.7 trillion Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), signaling continued support for infrastructural development in the nation’s capital. Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, presented the bill on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, outlining projected expenditures: ₦150 billion for personnel costs, ₦343 billion for overheads, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects. Debating the bill, lawmakers commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his leadership and visible achievements in urban renewal, security enhancement, and healthcare upgrades within Abuja. “This budget builds on that momentum and strengthens the FCT as a model for national development,” Bamidele noted. The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on FCT for detailed scrutiny and is expected to return for final passage in the coming weeks. This marks a significant boost to the territory’s fiscal planning amid growing demand for improved public services and urban expansion pressures.