The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) 2014 appropriation bill of N271 billion yesterday suffered set back in the House of Representatives as members protested against its second reading.
Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal announced the decision of the House after members protested when the Bill was presented by the House leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola.
According to the speaker, it became necessary for the debate on the Bill to be put-off since no member of the House had submitted his or her name to him to contribute to debate on the bill.
He cited Rule 97 (4) of the House standing rules, which states that during debate on money bills, members should submit their names that will be arranged alphabetically and allotted five minutes each to make contributions.
Trouble however started shortly after House leader had finished presenting the lead debate on bill. The supporting contribution from the deputy leader, Hon. Leo Ogor was intermittently interrupted by other members who complained that they do not have the details of the proposed budget and cannot contribute meaningfully.
Ogor ignored the shouts from his colleagues and insisted on going on, until he was overwhelmed by the disorderliness, forcing the Speaker to call for restraint.
Out of the N271.125 billion proposed for the 2014 fiscal year, N49.200 billion is for personnel cost, N62.891 billion is for overhead cost, while the balance of N159 billion is for capital projects for the service of the FCT.
