News

FCT Seeks RMAFC’s Backing To Access Funding For Infrastructural Development

Published

3 weeks ago

May 9, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Wednesday 7th May 2025 received a delegation from the Federal Capital Territory who came to make a presentation to the Fiscal and Efficiency and Budget Committee as a prerequisite to access funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF).

The delegation which was led by the Acting Chairman of the FCT – IRS Mr. Michael Ango, who represented the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, CON was received by the Chairman of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State Ambassador Desmond Akawor on behalf of the Commission at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ambassador Akawor, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, praised the developmental strides of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, CON.He said, “The Commission welcomes the innovative approaches of the Honourable Minister to develop some of the natural resources of the FCT through Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Tourism sectors on order to accelerate the socio-economic development of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole”.

These are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of economic diversification drive under the President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Ambassador Akawor informed that the 1.68% Development of Natural Resources Fund is one if the items under Special Fund establishment by the Revenue Allocation (Federation Account, etc) Act CAP A15 LFN, 2004. He further said that the Fund receives direct Allocation from the Federation Account on monthly basis which is added to the share of the Federal Government to be kept in trust for the three tiers of Government.

Speaking further, the Committee Chairman revealed that the Fund was meant for economic diversification through agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism development. He explained that to access the fund, the Commission established a procedure where the requesting entity i.e., the three tiers of government are required to make a formal presentation to the Commission through the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee.

Ambassador Akawor added that the Committee would thereafter carry out a physical assessment visit to the requesting entity to certify the viability of the issues raised during the presentation.

This, according to him will be followed by a report with recommendations on what is appropriate to be given to the requesting entity and finally a letter containing the recommendations will be sent to the President and Commander in Chief for his approval.

Ambassador Akawor, therefore, assured the delegation that the Committee would ensure fairness and equity on making sound recommendations to the request by the FCT while being guided by the objectives for the establishment of the Fund.

In the presentation, the Acting Chairman of the FCT-IRS Mr. Michael Ango, who represented the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesome Wike CON, explained that the fund was being sought to enable the FCT execute projects such as:

Construction, rehabilitation, and desilting of dams across the FCT to enable year-round crop production, including Lower Usuma Dam, Pedan Dam, Jabi Lake Dam, and Kilankwa Dam; Installation of solar-powered irrigation systems to support dry season farming and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Establishment of six mechanization service centers and procurement of tractors, harvesters, and other equipment to support smallholder farmers so as to boost agricultural output; Provision of crop-specific harvesting and on-farm storage technologies to reduce post-harvest losses and extend market access;

Modernization of grains and cattle markets and improvement of animal breeding and veterinary services, and Development of the FCT’s tourism sector and exploration of its solid mineral potential.

During the interactive session, members of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committeeappreciated the giant strides of the Hon. Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike since his assumption of office.

On the request by the FCT to a access funds from the NRDF, the members engaged the FCT team with questions aimed at clarifying the objectives, implementation strategy, and expected outcomes of the proposed projects. In his response, Mr. Ango assured the Commission that the Funds would be judiciously utilized if the request to access it is granted.

The visit by the delegation from the FCT was coming as a follow up to the letter written by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesome Wike seeking to access funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund.

In his vote of thanks, the Federal Commissioner representing the FCT, Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, commended the FCT-IRS for its forward-looking vision in improving the internally generated revenue of the Federal Capital Territory.
He applauded the agency’s strategic approach to economic development and emphasized that such initiatives are key to sustaining national growth.

Ambassador Ngbako also reiterated the unwavering commitment of RMAFC to ensuring fiscal responsibility, accountability, and due diligence in evaluating the request for funding from the Development of Natural Resources Fund.

He solicited the support of his colleagues to make a sound recommendation to the FCT given the testimony of the achievements of the Hon. Min. of the FCT, H.E. Nyesom Wike.

Share on Facebook

News

NTAC DG Celebrates President Tinubu’s Second Year as Nigeria’s President

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

The Gleamer

…Highlights His Leadership Skills and Economic Achievements

Joel Ajayi
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub says President Tinubu has risen above global economic dynamics and confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place Nigeria on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow.

The NTAC boss,who stated the above in a congratulatory message made available to press men today in Abuja in commemoration of the second year anniversary of the Tinubu Presidency,added that Nigerians were excited at how ingeniously President Tinubu was able to pull back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising external reserves of the country.
The rest of the piece read:

“Your Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation, *Letter of Congratulations on Your Two Years of Impactful Leadership and Service to Nigeria

“Permit me to respectfully avail myself of this means and the auspicious occasion of your second anniversary in office as President and Commander-in-Chief,Federal Republic of Nigeria, to convey my humble congratulations on the reformative and transformational turnaround that you have injected into governance and national leadership in these last two years since assuming the Nigerian Presidency.

“Without an iota of doubt,Sir,you came in,you saw and you have conquered.In the immortal words of one of the greatest leaders of all time:” You Have Done What Napoleon Could Not Do!”

“I recall with the clarity of a former federal lawmaker,who with every sense of modesty was in a position to know at the time,how our national life was mired in loss of hope, uncertainty, deepening insecurity, ethno-regional tensions as well as sullen economic indices.

“It was, indeed,a tall order to find that man who could clean the Augean stable,which, in fairness to the immediate-past national leadership,arose as a result of several factors,most of which were global and , therefore, beyond their total control.

“Today,Your Excellency,Mr.President,you have not only risen above global economic dynamics but confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place our nation back on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow!

“Today,Your Excellency,many Nigerians,in spite of what you often refer to as “current pangs of hardship for a better tomorrow”,are excited at how ingenious you have brought back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising our external reserves.Surely,this could not have been an accident of leadership,but the result of a well-intended and carefully executed fiscal policy that has delivered on its premeditated targets.

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,as we ruminate on the path through which you have led us through these past two years, Nigerians may not be very much aware of the many hours of sleep you lose to hold the nation together,to keep the economy on a sound footing,to restore the prices of goods and commodities to the pre-energy subsidy removal era,to ease tensions in regions with security challenges and to keep our workers happy,but every Nigerian knows that the nation has a leader that truly cares. We all can attest to this in your body language and poise each time you address the nation!

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,we may go on and on to chronicle the quantum leap your gracious leadership skills and initiated policies have foisted on the nation these past years,but those who do not travel abroad may not fully understand the extent of the positive turnaround that you have caused to happen in our individual and collective destinies across the globe in so short a time.Simply put,it suffices to just say here that the honour of our green passport has also been largely restored,thanks to Your Excellency,Mr.President’s Foreign Policy Initiatives and leadership ingenuity these past two years of purposeful leadership.

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,Sir,as you take a detour into the next half of your glorious first tenure,we,who you graciously appointed as some of your foot soldiers,join millions of your admirers, well-wishers and mentees across the world to wish you well and to pray that you daily continue to draw from the rich reservoir of wisdom, strength and good health deposited in you by the Almighty God Himself at creation to lead Nigeria and Africa in the right direction.

“For myself and my family,and on behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),which by the grace of God, your magnanimous appointment and continuous support I currently head,I congratulate you once again ,Your Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation,and pray that you find more health, wisdom, inspiration and strength to continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda and maintain the path of realizing The Nigerian Dream in our lifetime,” the NTAC DG concluded.

Following the swearing-in ceremonies held at the Eagle Square,Abuja,on May 29,2023, President Tinubu took over the reins of leadership, succeeding his Party man and immediate-past President,Gen.Muhammadu Buhari,Retd.

Share on Facebook