Buhari seeks Senate’s approval for FCTA 2020 budget, without disclosing amount

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday asked the Senate to approve the 2020 statutory budget proposal of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), without stating how much of the budget.

Buhari’s request was contained in a letter he addressed to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, dated December 10, 2019.

It was expected, and it is traditional that the letter should have stated clearly how much was being proposed for the FCTA by Buhari.

This is even coming a few weeks after the President had submitted to the Senate an N29.9b loan request, without a borrowing plan.

Reading the letter to Senators during plenary, Lawan announced that the President wanted the National Assembly to consider the 2020 budget proposal of the FCTA of which the figure was not disclosed.

According to Buhari, his request complied with Sections 121 and 299 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Pursuant to Sections 121 and 299 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward herewith, the 2020 statutory budget proposal of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, for the kind consideration and passage by the Senate.

“While hoping that this submission would receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter read.

This comes just as President Buhari asked the Senate to confirm the appointments of the Chairman, Muhammad Nami and members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Also, the President is seeking the nod of the Senate to okay the appointment of Edward Lametek Adamu as Chairman, Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) without delay.

While the Senate referred the confirmation of FIRS appointments to its Committee on Finance, it directed that of AMCOM to the committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions, to submit a report on December 18, 2019.