Mr John Gabaya, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, FCT, on Monday presented a budget of N27.7 billion for 2025 to the council’s legislature for approval.
Gabaya, who described the budget as the “Budget of Continuous Transformation,” explained that it comprised N20.2 billion for capital expenditure and N7.4 billion for recurrent expenditure.
He provided a summary of the revenue projection, which included Gross Statutory Revenue of N24.9 billion, Bwari Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N870 million, and a total revenue generation of N33.7 billion, among other sources.
The chairman stated that the primary focus of the budget was to complete ongoing projects from 2024 and initiate new ones.
He said, “We also plan to execute the rehabilitation of the 312 Road in Kubwa, the reconstruction of Baran-goni Road in Bwari Town, and the construction of Phase 3 of the Igu-Shere-Kawu Road.
“This will also include the construction of the second phase of the Bwari Township Road project.”
Gabaya noted that the recently completed and inaugurated Phase 1 of the Dei-dei Ultra Modern Public-Private-Partnership Market project was already attracting good business attention from the community.
He further explained that this had made a significant impact in increasing the council’s IGR.
In spite of the economic challenges in 2024, Gabaya said his administration successfully implemented transformative projects.
He said these projects included the upgrading and remodeling of the Bwari slaughterhouse, the asphalting of the Dutse-Koro power line road, and water projects in the Sumpe, Kute, Igu, and Tokolo communities.
He expressed appreciation for the support of the legislative members and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.
In his response, Mr Dogara Ahmed, Speaker of the legislature, commended the chairman’s 2024 projects, calling them a “new face” for Bwari Area Council.
He particularly lauded the reconstruction and remodeling of the Bwari Slaughter House, which had improved conditions for butchers, environmental health workers, and consumers in Bwari metropolis.
Ahmed assured that the legislature would pass the budget promptly and hoped that the council’s Joint Allocation, IGR, and other income sources would improve to ensure successful implementation of the budget.
“A well-crafted budget is not an end in itself, but rather in its implementation.
“The legislators will, however, endeavour to diligently scrutinise and pass the budget in good time to facilitate the early commencement of its implementation,” Ahmed said.
