By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the 2026 statutory budget proposals of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), totalling N2.29 trillion and N1.75 trillion respectively, with lawmakers stressing the need for improved infrastructure delivery and accountability in implementation.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of reports presented by the relevant committees during plenary.
Presenting the report on the FCT budget, Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Muktar Betara, explained the structure of the appropriation, noting that it was designed to sustain governance operations while expanding infrastructure across the capital.
According to him, “Out of the N2.29tn, the sum of N165.78bn is for personnel costs while N378.23bn is for overhead costs.”
He added that “the balance of N1.74tn is for capital projects, for the service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the financial year commencing January 1 and ending December 31, 2026.”
A breakdown of the recurrent expenditure showed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration received N151.44bn for its operations.
Lawmakers also approved N6.79bn for the security services department of the FCTA, a move aimed at strengthening security within the capital and its satellite communities.
In the same vein, N1.51bn was approved for the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, while the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board received N910.20m.
For capital projects, the education sector got N162bn, while engineering services received the largest allocation of N758.15bn. Other allocations included N143.18bn for resettlement and compensation, N2.38bn for public buildings, and N212.74bn for satellite towns development.
Lawmakers described the allocations as critical to addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps in Abuja, particularly in rapidly growing satellite communities.
Meanwhile, the House also approved the 2026 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), totalling N1.75tn.
Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, said the approval reflects the legislature’s resolve to prioritise development in oil-producing communities.
She noted that “N47.57bn was earmarked for personnel costs, while overhead expenditure stood at N49.93bn.”
Ibori-Suenu further explained that “N22.36bn was allocated for internal capital expenditure, while the bulk of the budget—N1.63tn—is dedicated to development projects across the Niger Delta region.”
Lawmakers expressed concern over the need for proper utilisation of the funds, with emphasis on transparency, accountability and measurable impact in project delivery.
The passage of the two budgets comes amid growing expectations for improved infrastructure, security and social services in both the Federal Capital Territory and the Niger Delta region.
The House said the FCT budget is expected to accelerate road expansion, urban renewal, education development, and improved security surveillance across Abuja and its satellite towns.
Similarly, the NDDC budget is expected to drive intervention projects in roads, healthcare, electricity, shoreline protection and youth empowerment across the nine Niger Delta states.
With the approvals, lawmakers urged implementing agencies to ensure strict adherence to budgetary provisions and deliver tangible results that reflect the scale of public investment.
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