2018 Budget: FCTA seeks input from monarchs, others

By Stanley Onyekwere

In a bid to ensure inclusive development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared resolve to reach out to traditional rulers, Area Council Chairmen and other stakeholders, to hear their priorities, challenges and suggestions for input in the 2018 Budget.
According to the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, who made this assertion, the Administration is working to ensure early preparation of the 2018 budget.
A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, disclosed that the Minister spoke during an interactive session of the FCT Executive Council, with Area Council Chairmen, heads of security agencies and FCT traditional rulers, on Tuesday.
Bello noted that the session was convened in order to build strong partnership between the various stakeholders and the FCT leadership.
He specifically indicated that he would like to have every chiefdom benefit from one project or the other in the coming year.
He equally reiterated his renewed emphasis on bringing development closer to the people in the second phase of his Administration.
“The Administration considered it essential to hear from the traditional rulers, Area Council Chairmen and other stakeholders: their priorities, challenges and suggestions for input in the 2018 Budget.
“FCT administration is desirous of ensuring that the benefits of governance are felt at the grassroots.
“This is why the focus of the second half of this Administration would centre on education, health facilities, rural infrastructure among others,” he explained.
Furthermore, the Minister revealed that FCT is set to recruit 300 teachers to bridge the gap created by various retirements and other sources of manpower attrition in the sector.