By Stanley Onyekwere
The Chairman of Bwari Area Council of the FCT, John Gabaya has sought the swift consideration and approval of the Council’s Legislative Arm, for a budget of N10,684,556,784 for the 2023 fiscal year.
The proposed 2023 appropriation, tagged ‘a budget of Inclusive Growth and Development for vast majority of Bwari people, which has a projected gross statutory revenue of N13,424,560,984, with a total projected net revenue of N10,684,556,784, and statutory deductions of N4,773,569,200 for Primary School Teachers, Pensions and Trainings was laid before the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Hon. Ahmed Yerima Douglas.
This, represents a marginal increase of N1,083,548,200 over last year’s budget in 2022, the Council’s gross statutory revenue was N12,341,012,784 with total net revenue receipts of N8,258,512,784 and total deductions of N4,310,000,000.
Also, of the total net revenue receipts, N8,650,991,784 is expected from Statutory Allocations, while N2,033,500,000 is projected from internally generated revenue and accruals from FCT Internal Revenue disbursements.
Gabaya, while presenting the proposed budget at the Council Chambers, sais it is projected with an estimated expenditure profile of N1,799,756,784 for personnel cost, while N2,103,800,000 is for overhead cost just as N6,780,935,000 is earmarked for capital expenditures.
He added that the budget seeks to provide “gainful jobs, increased incomes and greater wealth for all households in Bwari Area Council”.
He therefore called on all stakeholders and residents of the Council to cooperate and participate in the implementation process to ensure the actualization of the Council’s set objectives to improve production and productivity.
The Chairman said to improve efficiency, transparency in the internally revenue generation system of the Council, there are advanced plans to electronically collect revenues, thereby blocking leakages and strengthening its revenue profile.
Furthermore, after sectoral appraisal of the previous budget, Gabaya explained that due to paucity of funds, the 2022 budget focused mainly on revamping the rural and township infrastructure and provisions of basic social services.
In his remarks, after receiving the copy of the budget, the Speaker Bwari Legislative Council, Hon. Ahmed Yerima Douglas commended the Chairman’s commitment towards transforming the Council.
While stressing the need to facilitate the continued rapid development of the Council, the Speaker assured the that the Council Legislators would diligently consider and pass the budget into law.
