The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the Ministry of Finance has released N50 billion to the FCT to finance ongoing capital projects.

The amount, according to the minister, is 50 per cent of FCT’s N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget, approved by the National Assembly.

Mr Wike announced this during an inspection tour of some ongoing projects in the FCT on Thursday.

“I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released 50 per cent of the national supplementary budget,” said Mr Wike.

He added, “That, in a way, has given us that hope that the contractors will be paid anytime from now.”

The minister said he had directed the permanent secretary to immediately pay the contractors handling projects in FCT.

“We have also gotten assent to the FCT statutory budget, which, again, has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised.

“As you can see, these are quality projects, which we are delighted with.

“We believe that the arrangements made by the contractors will enable us to commission the projects to celebrate Mr President’s one year in office,” he said.

Mr Wike commended Abuja residents for their support, assuring them that all promises made would be fulfilled.

He expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered on schedule, saying, “We are quite hopeful; we are quite convinced that they would keep to the time schedule as agreed.

“We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do things to the satisfaction of the residents of Abuja and assure them that the renewed hope agenda is not a mere talk.”

Mr Wike acknowledged some challenges in the course of delivering the projects, adding, however, that they were surmountable.

He added that with the kind of support from President Bola Tinubu, there were no challenges that would not be surmountable.

Mr Wike inspected the Outer Southern Expressway, which stretched from A.A Rano, through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo roundabout to Wasa District.

The road is being constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited.

Mr Wike also inspected the Northern N-20 Expressway in Jahi District, being constructed by Gilmor Construction firm, and the vice president’s residence, being constructed by Julius Berger.

(NAN)