President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking a review of the 2024 budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Tinubu, there were projects missing from the budget that were passed, adding that the submission of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill of the FCT has allowed them to include such projects in the budget.
Recall that the Senate in March 2024 had passed a total of N1.1trn Federal Capital Territory 2024 Appropriation Bill.
A breakdown analysis of the N1.1tn budget indicated that N280bn was earmarked for overhead cost, N726bn for capital projects, and N140bn for personnel, bringing the total budget to N1.147trn.
But, reading a letter from President Tinubu at Senate plenary on Thursday, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, said some critical projects were omitted in the initial FCT budget passed.
“Capital projects are vital components of the budget. The 2024 appropriation act of the FCT passed on March 24, is to be reviewed to accommodate these projects. The statutory of the FCTA should be considered and passed,” Tinubu urged the Senate.
In a related development, President Tinubu has asked the Senate to consider enacting a law seeking to prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming substances that will enhance their performances during or after sporting competitions.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary on Thursday.
The executive Bill titled, “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024” will regulate substances that can be consumed by athletes during sporting events.
In the letter to the Senate, Tinubu said the proposed legislation will provide a legal framework for the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation, an organisation that regulates sporting competitions in Nigeria.
He explained that the establishment of the agency was a requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.
The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sports organizations and among public authorities around the world.
Tinubu noted that the law will help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events.
“In accordance with the provisions of section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I forward herewith the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate.
“The National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent National Anti-Doping organization which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standard for code compliance by signatures.
“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events,” Tinubu added.
The President, however, urged the lawmakers to consider the Bill before the Olympic Games seminar scheduled to be held in Paris in July for Nigerians to be part of the competition.
“It is my hope that this submission will receive the humankind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Nigeria for passage of the same to law before the Olympic Games seminar in Paris in July 2024.
“Please accept, distinguished president, the assurances of our highest consideration. Regards,” the President stated.