BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – The Six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and relevant stakeholders in the nation’s capital have received the sum of N4,966,217,872.99 billion as their share of statutory allocation for the month of October 2023.
Figures released at5 the 182nd Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting presided over by FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in Abuja indicates that the sum of N2,434,932,198.95 billion was allocated for distribution to the six Area Councils, while the sum of N2,531,285,674.04 billion was provided for other stakeholders.
When put together, both sums bring the total amount to about N4,966,217,872.99 billion.
Detailed breakdown of the amount showed that of the six Area Councils, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) got N517,549709.29 million; Gwagwalada received N407,277,974.82 million; with the figure for Kuje put at about N445,799,336.65 million.
Similarly, Bwari Area Council got N390,047,987.63 million; Abaji received N363,856,716.08
million while Kwali went home with N406,753,949.57 million. This puts the total disbursements to the six Area Councils at about N2,531,285,674.04 billion.
Furthermore, the distribution to other critical stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N2,050,941,625.03 billion; 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57 million; One percent Training Fund received N49,662,178.73 million; with N107,849,405.63 million paid out as 10 percent Employer Pension Contributions, bringing the total sum to N2,434,932,198.95 billion.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Media, Austin Elemue said JAAC members were lauded by the Minister for their availability and invaluable contributions over the years.
Also, the Minister however charged the Department of Outdoors Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) to work in synergy with the six Area Council authorities with a view to improving revenue generation in the territory.
While cautioning against friction among the revenue generating departments in the territory, Dr (Mrs) Mariya Mahmoud however, observed that with collaboration, the Administration stands to gain more in its internal revenue generation activities.
Present at the 182nd JAAC meeting were the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola; Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Hon. Bitrus Garki; and the Director of Finance and Administration in Area Council Secretariat, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun.
Others include the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya; Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Zaka; and Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Giri
