FCT: Senators Condemn Proposed N4bn First Ladies' Mission House
...Pass N253bn FCT 2013 Budget
ABUJA, January 31, (THEWILL) - Senators on Thursday condemned the proposed construction of a N4 billion First Ladies' Mission House in Abuja.
The lawmakers argued that the Mission is unconstitutional and as such does not merit appropriation of a huge sum of money of such magnitude.
Also, the Senate passed for second reading, the N253billion Federal Capital Territory (FCT) budget for the 2013 fiscal period amid criticism of the previous budget performance of the FCT.
The President of the Senate, David Mark, while ruling on the bill, said the problem with FCT is getting its priority right. He pointed out that issues that needed to be de-emphasised were brought to the fore.
Mark, who said there is lack of plan in the initiation and execution of projects in FCT, advised the authority to complete ongoing projects before embarking on new ones so that they will be relevant to the people.
Earlier in his lead debate, the sponsors of the bill, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, said that the sum of N1.6 billion is proposed for construction of resettlement houses and payment of compensation in year 2013.
He complained that Abuja is lagging behind at about 80 percent compared to what it is envisaged to be and blamed lack of funds as the chief factor.
The FCT, he added, is growing in leaps and bounds, thereby overstretching the available resources and as such more funds should be allocated for the territory.
He added that the city requires a minimum of N195 billion to resuscitate and complete abandoned and ongoing projects.
On the First Ladies Building, Senator Babafemi Ojodu pointed out that if the proposed N4 billion for First Ladies Mission House is approved, Nigerians will not take it lightly with the lawmakers.
He stated that the First Ladies Mission is not recognised by the constitution, adding that the project will have no impact on the lives of the Nigerians who are in dire need of schools, jobs, infrastructure, among other things.
Also contributing, Nkechi Nwogu, said there is need for the Senate to ascertain the level of completion in the FCT light rail project, so as to know if there is actually need for more funds for it or not.