President Tinubu has put forward a ₦1.78 trillion spending plan for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for 2025, seeking swift approval from the Senate, according to media report.
The President’s request, delivered on Wednesday, highlighted the importance of passing the bill promptly to maintain effective governance in the capital region.
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In an unusual move, according to the report, the Senate employed special procedural rules to advance the bill to its second reading immediately. This fast-tracking drew criticism from opposition member Senator Abdul Ningi, who protested that legislators had not received proper documentation before being asked to debate the proposal.
“Senators should have been given copies of the bill for proper review,” Ningi argued, citing parliamentary rules.
Despite this objection, deliberations proceeded under the direction of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who outlined the financial framework of the ₦1.78 trillion package.
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The plan allocates: ₦150.35 billion towards staff salaries and benefits; ₦343.78 billion for operational expenses; ₦1.29 trillion for infrastructure development.
“This budget aims to create lasting improvements for Abuja residents,” Bamidele told colleagues, emphasising that the majority of funds would support the completion of existing infrastructure projects considered vital to the territory’s development.
