The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged the senate to enable him the capacity for security votes similar to state governors in a bid to protect the city.
The minister made this known on Monday, March 18, while defending the N1,147,780,610,283.00 as budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the 2024 fiscal year.
As the minister was before the Senate Committees on FCT and FCT Areas Councils, he made a case once again to ensure security of the capital, citing that there was too much bureaucracy required to release funds particularly for urgent security issues.
The former Rivers Governor noted that the process might also be subject to leaks but that security votes would enable him supply funds directly to the security forces without delay or possible leaks.
Wike said:
“Now, let me call you back. If you recollect what we said in the security council meeting. I did say that in tackling the issue of insecurity, there are certain operations that we call covert operations and that even some peoplemay not even know. But here in Abuja, or in FCT, no security man can be given N10,000.
“He has to apply. You have to take it to the Permanent Secretary, who will take it to the DFA (Director of Finance and Accounts) before the money will be released.
“Now, in that case, you don’t even know whether it is the Permanent Secretary or the DFA, that’s giving out information regarding the operation.
“Those of us who have been Governors…the Director of the SSS can come and tell you, ‘we want to do operation on this matter this night. I will require N20million for the operation.’
“Of course, you don’t need to go and call anybody. All you need do is to give him the N20million cash. But in FCT there is nothing like that.
You can’t even give N500,000.00.
“So there’s no security vote in the FCT and so, I did present this when I we discussed about security issues. This is just to let you know, so you don’t forget that you did promise us that you will make sure that this around there would be security vote to take care of some of these challenges.”
He also narrated how he was able to save the sum of $53million by renegotiating the operations aspect of the Abuja light rail contract from $128million to $75million.
He added:
“This was projected by the last administration. We did a review and brought it down to $75million, in the process, saving about $53million for the government.
“It had to do with the Metroline. The cost for the construction is different, the cost for the operation where CCECC will train our people for 29 months and it was approved by FEC (Federal Executive Council) before this administration for $128million.
“I told CCECC, you have made your money in the construction and you don’t want this job to go on, convert $128million, how much is it?
Obviously you are saying that this thing will not work and it is a sabotage.
“I looked at it and I told my team to call the contractor for us to discuss the development. We argued back and front and I insited no, it is better we leave the contract. To cough out $128million from where? At the end if the day, the committee recommended $63million. I said okay.
