AMAC officials hold budget retreat for 2024 fiscal year

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has organised a retreat for officials of the council on the 2024 fiscal year, in order to produce an acceptable budget that will tally with the vision of his administration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the retreat, Maikalangu said the performance of the 2023 budget was not bad because of the provision of basic amenities to AMAC residents in different communities.
Maikalangu, in a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki recalled that on 15th December, last year, the council convened such budget retreat to collate and articulate every aspect of the development agenda, where it purposed to implement in the 2023 fiscal year as required by law.
He said: “Further to making significant impact in the life of this administration, I also presented the harmonised 2023 budget of to our very proactive, cooperative and grassroots-friendly Legislative Arm on 10th of February, 2023.
“By the grace of God, the Honourable Councillors did not disappoint our collective intention to serve the people so well as they made very positive input to it and passed the budget with the speed that it deserved. We are on another journey in the process of producing the 2024 budget.
“May I at this point remind you that although this meeting is not political in nature, but an avenue to produce a blueprint for the general development of AMAC as relates to citizens across the 12 electoral wards. I will not hesitate to make a brief highlight of the preceding year.
“On this note therefore, permit me to stress that our labour of the past one year is not in vain. You are all witnesses to our growing legacies of service delivery made possible through the various departments and participants gathered here today.”
The AMAC Chairman continued: “The 2023 budget has rekindled the confidence of the locals because we have been able to collate, assess and articulate their needs which are being celebrated everywhere.
“ You are witnesses to projects initiated and implemented which includes: Roads construction fully asphalted and with modern drainages. We have also provided solar-powered water projects; we supplied, installed transformers and extended electricity to villages.
“At this juncture, I wish to renew my calls for you to inject your expertise and professionalism in different facets and produce an uncommon document that would stand the test of time in 2024.
“May I also seize this opportunity to remind you that we are here for a serious business and must make sure we justify the huge confidence that you are able and capable to produce flawless 2024 budget estimate.
“You must therefore treat this exercise with the passion and patriotism it deserves. This proposal must capture all the important elements that will enhance the people’s trust and expectations without fear or favour.
“However, this retreat offers another opportunity for all departments to douse grey areas, make additions or subtractions to the budget with a view to having a near-perfect document. I therefore expect all of you to have some critical assessment and unbiased contributions today with the mind-set of patriots.
“Be reminded that my administration is committed to making life easier for taxpayers and the grassroots people. Our focus and vision is simply geared towards uplifting the living standards of the common man and the document you are fashioning out today, should reflect the aspirations of the entire electorate.
“On this note, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to once again welcome all of you to this retreat and urge you to do your best in producing a long-lasting document that will tally with our vision.”