206
By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has approved the sum of N1.81 trillion as the 2025 budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report presented by the House Committee on FCT, as well as the third reading of the Appropriation Bill during Wednesday’s plenary session.
According to the breakdown, N150.35 billion has been allocated for personnel expenses, N352.02 billion earmarked for overheads, while N1.31 trillion will be directed toward capital expenditure.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had submitted a proposed FCT budget of N1.78 trillion to the House. The bill was passed for second reading last week. However, the final version approved by lawmakers saw an upward adjustment, bringing the total to N1.81 trillion.
In a related development, the Green Chamber also passed for second reading the 2025 Appropriation Bill of Rivers State, pegged at N1.481 trillion.
The executive proposal, presented by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, seeks to authorize withdrawals from the Rivers State Government Statutory Revenue Fund. The bill outlines spending as follows: N324 billion for infrastructure development, N166 billion for the health sector, N5 billion for free drugs to treat malaria and other common illnesses, N75.6 billion for the education sector, and N31.4 billion for agricultural initiatives. The bill, designated HB.2397, covers the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.