Kenneth Udeh from Abuja


The Senate on Tuesday expressed optimism that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has the potential of surpassing Lagos state's monthly 50 Billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

With references to harnessing revenue-yielding sources, revenue targets and blockage of all loopholes and the utilisation of its status as the seat of power the Lawmakers said that FCT could overtake Lagos in Revenue Generation.

The propositions were discussed at the inaugural meeting of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory chaired by Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai (Yobe South). The Lawmakers composed of members of the committee agreed to explore means through which the Nation's capital can boost its IGR.


The necessity to review or update the 1979 Master Plan to conform to the present realities was also proposed at the meeting. The Lawmakers concurred that it is imperative to carry out the exercise so that the city can conform with not just current infrastructural standards but also security.


The Senators also resolved to assist the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike achieve his reforms in the overall interest of the residents.

In his opening remark, Bomai gave assurances that the committee under his leadership will signify an era of successes in the working relationship between the FCT Administration and the National Assembly.


Based on Section 299 (a) - (c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Bomai noted that the National Assembly plays the dual role of being the “State Assembly” of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the Legislative Arm of the Government of the Federation.

He said; "it is absolutely important to note that the oversight function as Legislators is contained in the Senate Standing Orders and also enshrined in Section 299 (a) - (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.


From the foregoing the Lawmaker stated that it is imperative to clearly state that the functions of FCT as a State overwhelmed its function as a Ministry.


Accordingly, Bomai asserted that the Nation's capital is being governed as a state and Federal Ministry with two separate budgets.

He explained; "The FCT operates two separate budgets: the FCT National Budget and the FCT Statutory Budget. Considering also is the barrage of Schools, Hospitals, Markets, and other functions as it is obtained in other States of the Federation.


Moreover, Bomai pointed out that the Minister of FCT is the only Minister that performs dual responsibility.

He said; "He attends the Federal Executive Council with other ministers and the Council of State meeting with Governors. This is the main reason why the Federal Capital Territory has a special status.

Urging his colleagues to protect the rights of Abuja residents and Nigerians at large Bomai assured that they will not be unmindful of the numerous administrative and social responsibilities of the FCT Administration and the need to collectively address such issues, some of which are constitutional hiccups.

Inorder to increase FCT'S IGR Bomai held that it is important to blockage of revenue leakages and to also implement the FCT Act passed by the 9th Senate. He bemoaned that the FCT gets just 1% from the Federal government’s allocation.


"There are lots of gaps in the financing infrastructure in Abuja. This committee will brainstorm on ways to achieve this. The statutory budget of the FCT is just one percent meaning that the FCT gets 1% share of the Allocation of the FG.

"From my experience the major challenge is the financial gap. There's no reason the FCT can't generate a revenue of 50 Billion monthly like Lagos or even more. If we can implement the FCT Act that was passed in the 9th Senate we can achieve the target, Bomai stressed.


Like other Senators in attendance Infrastructure and Security were of major concern to Senator Sani Senator Sani Musa (Niger East).The Senator said that FCT needs to live up to its status as the face of Nigeria urging the committee to draw up an action plan.


For Senator Sadiku Abubakar Ohere (Kogi Central) the FCT master plan is long due to be reviewed to reflect current dynamics of infrastructure and future development.

He said ; "Over time we have heard of this Abuja Master plan but I don't know the reference used in drawing it. If we are still using our scope of knowledge we will be thinking that we are progressing. The 1990 Master plan should be reviewed so it can be inline with current realities , especially to create room for sustainable development.


Both Senator Fasuyi Cyril Oluwole (Ekiti North) and Senator Gbenga Daniel ( Ogun East) prescribed for the committee to hold a meeting with the FCT Minister with a view of brainstorming means of increasing the FCT's IGR to be at par with Lagos state's 50 Billion or more.

"If Lagos is doing 50 Billion monthly despite not being the Nation's capital then Abuja should be able to do so if not more, " Gbenga said.


Senator Fasuyi Cyril Oluwole (Ekiti North) urged the Senate to protect Nyesom Wike from resistance attacks by persons against the FCT reforms while Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) said the FCT wasn't doing enough to utilize its advantage as a Nation's seat of power.



https://sunnewsonline.com/igr-abuja-can-overtake-lagos-says-senate-as-they-mull-review-of-44yo-masterplan/?amp

Please bring it on, Lagos welcomes the competition. We are born for this!

With the best infrastructures , huge pool of human and material resources and the best private and public service sectors in Nigeria, we give investors the greatest return on investment and the best investor friendly experience that no other city in Nigeria and Africa will ever give you if you move your investment to Lagos.

Invest in Lagos today. God bless Nigeria for ever!

Anything is possible but e go take time sha.

Naijadaily:


Accordingly, Bomai asserted that the Nation's capital is being governed as a state and Federal Ministry with two separate budgets.

He explained; "The FCT operates two separate budgets: the FCT National Budget and the FCT Statutory Budget. Considering also is the barrage of Schools, Hospitals, Markets, and other functions as it is obtained in other States of the Federation.


Moreover, Bomai pointed out that the Minister of FCT is the only Minister that performs dual responsibility.

He said; "He attends the Federal Executive Council with other ministers and the Council of State meeting with Governors. This is the main reason why the Federal Capital Territory has a special status.

Tinubu supporters ronu.

It's quite possible. Abuja has very huge untapped commercial potentials.

Imagine turning the entire Apo mechanic village to a world class spare parts hub. It will be the biggest in Nigeria and rake in billions in monthly revenues.

FreeStuffsNG:
Please bring it on, Lagos welcomes the competition. We are born for this!

With the best infrastructures , huge pool of human and material resources and the best private and public service sectors in Nigeria, we give investors the greatest return on investment and the best investor friendly experience that no other city in Nigeria and Africa will ever give you if you move your investment to Lagos.

Invest in Lagos today. God bless Nigeria for ever!

bla bla bla


As if all these were made possible by the indegens. Lagos was just lucky to be formal capital of Nigeria, that's all.

1914 -1991 as a nations capital is more than enough to achieve all these.

If you make Zamfara the capital of Nigeria for 77 years, it will achieve same even without sea port as an advantage.

Stop chest beating

That is the spirit of positive competition.

But since 1991, Abuja has been playing 2nd fiddle to Lagos.

I don't see Abuja catching up with Lagos if they both keep on developing at the pace they are both developing.

Abuja is the administrative headquarters and Lagos is the commercial headquarters. How can Abuja generate more IGR than Lagos even after a millennium?

Bendeco2020:

Calabar and Lokoja are lucky too or you forgot that they have indigenes and they are capital of Nigeria before Lagos ni? Today sef, Abuja is the capital o.Smh

FreeStuffsNG:

Calabar and Lokoja are lucky too or you forgot that they have indigenes and they are capital of Nigeria before Lagos ni? Smh

Stop yarnin like an illitrate

Calabar, For a short time (1893–1906) was the capital of the British Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, before the capital was moved to Lagos.


Make research before disgracing yourself in public

Even Abuja as current capital has not meet or stayed upto 70 years as Nigeria's capital but check the development.

So tomorrow, gbagi or gwari the indegens of Abuja will start bragging with Abuja's development if the capital should be moved out to another state.

You guys too dey make noise

FreeStuffsNG:

Calabar and Lokoja are lucky too or you forgot that they have indigenes and they are capital of Nigeria before Lagos ni? Today sef, Abuja is the capital o.Smh

Stop mentioning Calabar. Calabar was never the capital of Nigeria. It could be the capital of the Southern Protectorate - a position Lagos State held before the amalgamation. Lord Lugard amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914, and Lagos was made the capital of Nigeria until it was moved to Abuja.

That said, I don't think Abuja can meet the IGR of Lagos because Lagos State government isn't sleeping. The state keeps attracting foreign investments and HNIs. Besides, Lagos has an overwhelming population. Lagos is the major gateway to Nigeria.

SoNature:


Stop mentioning Calabar. Calabar was never the capital of Nigeria. It could be the capital of the Southern Protectorate - a position Lagos State held before the amalgamation. Lord Lugard amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914, and Lagos was made the capital of Nigeria until it was moved to Abuja.

That said, I don't think Abuja can meet the IGR of Lagos because Lagos State government isn't sleeping. The state keeps attracting foreign investments and HNIs. Besides, Lagos has an overwhelming population. Lagos is the major gateway to Nigeria.

The area called Lagos in 1914 is different from the total area called Lagos now.
Its not the fault of the indigene that their hometown is the center of excellence.

SoNature:


Stop mentioning Calabar. Calabar was never the capital of Nigeria. It could be the capital of the Southern Protectorate - a position Lagos State held before the amalgamation. Lord Lugard amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914, and Lagos was made the capital of Nigeria until it was moved to Abuja.

That said, I don't think Abuja can meet the IGR of Lagos because Lagos State government isn't sleeping. The state keeps attracting foreign investments and HNIs. Besides, Lagos has an overwhelming population. Lagos is the major gateway to Nigeria.

There was nothing like nigeria as at 1914.

Stop all this propaganda.
Lagos was a Capital so as Calabar

Just shut down the Sea port in Lagos for 10 years . Make the one in Port Harcourt operational and Lagos IGR will drop to 20 million per month

Ikaeniyan0:
I don't see Abuja catching up with Lagos if they both keep on developing at the pace they are both developing.

Lmaooo Abuja already does more air travel

Abuja airport already has more traffic, diaspora population are choosing Abuja as point of investment

Abuja would overtake Lagos in less than 15 years Max

tollyboy5:

There was nothing like nigeria as at 1914.

Stop all this propaganda.
Lagos was a Capital so as Calabar

Nigeria was formed when the two protectorates were amalgamated in 1914. The British administered the two protectorates ever since 1960 when Nigeria got independence. If you don't know this basic history, then, you have to refund your parents the money they wasted to school you.

mrvitalis:

Lmaooo Abuja already does more air travel

Abuja airport already has more traffic, diaspora population are choosing Abuja as point of investment

Abuja would overtake Lagos in less than 15 years Max

Stop dropping lamba.

Lagos attracts more FDI than any other state in Nigeria.
Abuja will be next after Lagos very soon, With ogun state displacing rivers in the nearest future. But lagos will maintain the wide gap.

mrvitalis:

Lmaooo Abuja already does more air travel

Abuja airport already has more traffic, diaspora population are choosing Abuja as point of investment

Abuja would overtake Lagos in less than 15 years Max

Abuja airport has more local traffic, in terms of international travel, Lagos is still ahead.

In terms of FDI, Lagos is far ahead of Abuja

I don't see Abuja overtaken Lagos state in the next 100 years sef unless Lagos go the warri route.

Abuja should capitalize on the gaffes in Lagos, like traffic, lack land for expansion and incessant market closure and harassment of merchants from a certain part of the country to build a commercial capital of Nigeria.
Abuja is in the center of Nigeria and it is close to the river ports in lokoja , can be accessed from any part of the country’s geopolitical zone. There will be no iyaloja or street urchins or touts or ominile

mrvitalis:

Lol one government policy can change that instantly

Truth is Abuja has not even started growing

Lagos has lost its number one appeal
Abuja is home to all... Even I'm moving to Abuja next year...

Abuja is well positioned

There is a reason lugbe has developed more than ibeju and epe

Yorubas can keep Lagos the rest of Nigeria would build a new cosmopolitan city were everyone would be equal

There's a big reason a Yoruba woman was allowed to be senator in Abuja

Your opinion is from the position of your hate for Lagos

If you leave Lagos next year, no one gives a dam about it.

As at now, Lagos state is far ahead of Abuja in IGR. Abuja is competing with Rivers and Ogun State.

Ikaeniyan0:
Your opinion is from the position of your hate for Lagos

If you leave Lagos next year, no one gives a dam about it.

As at now, Lagos state is far ahead of Abuja in IGR. Abuja is competing with Rivers and Ogun State.

Firstly I am not in Lagos, have never lived Lagos

IGR is never a measure of an economy why can't you people know that

Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa yet do we have the highest revenue?

IMO state economy is bigger than Kano and Kaduna and even Ogun yet all have higher revenue

I don’t see that happening any time soon but with Wike, Abuja will do well like he did in Rivers

I see Oyo doing better than all the SE states put together just like Ogun has

mrvitalis:

Firstly I am not in Lagos, have never lived Lagos

IGR is never a measure of an economy why can't you people know that

Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa yet do we have the highest revenue?

IMO state economy is bigger than Kano and Kaduna and even Ogun yet all have higher revenue

Is this thread not about Abuja IGR overtaken Lagos state IGR in the near future?

Well, Lagos State is far ahead of Abuja, no matter the indices you want to use.

Lagos GDP is far larger than the GDP of Abuja.

Lagos have more industry

Lagos have ports

Lagos have less people living in poverty

Lagos have lots of business HQ like Bua, Dangote, MTN, Glo etc

Lagos state is always going to be ahead of Abuja unless Lagos go the warri route.

Ikaeniyan0:
Is this thread not about Abuja IGR overtaken Lagos state IGR in the near future?

Well, Lagos State is far ahead of Abuja, no matter the indices you want to use.

Lagos GDP is far larger than the GDP of Abuja.

Lagos have more industry

Lagos have ports

Lagos have less people living in poverty

Lagos have lots of business HQ like Bua, Dangote, MTN, Glo etc

Lagos state is always going to be ahead of Abuja.

One thing you have failed to understand is this Lagos growth is slowing down Abuja is picking up

Those headquarters can all leave Lagos in 2 years

Lagos have reached its peak... There is a reason eko Atlantic is empty

Well u might not understand in 20 years you would remember this chat

mrvitalis:

One thing you have failed to understand is this Lagos growth is slowing down Abuja is picking up

Those headquarters can all leave Lagos in 2 years

Lagos have reached its peak... There is a reason eko Atlantic is empty

Well u might not understand in 20 years you would remember this chat

You're just saying rubbish

Why will the HQ leave Lagos? Can you agree with me now that you're just saying all this because of your hate for Lagos state?

Work is ongoing at Eko Atlantic city as i am typing this with you.

The US consulate project is ongoing as well as other projects.

Lagos have not reach her peak, Lagos State is still developing just like every other states in Nigeria.

Ikaeniyan0:
You're just saying rubbish

Why will the HQ leave Lagos? Can you agree with me now that you're just saying all this because of your hate for Lagos state?

Work is ongoing at Eko Atlantic city as i am typing this with you.

The US consulate project is ongoing as well as other projects.

Lagos have not reach her peak, Lagos State is still developing just like every other states in Nigeria.

Which work is going on in eko Atlantic? 90% of the plots are empty and you call that work

You guys throw the word hate about its obvious you like projecting what you feel unto others

Lagos is what it is because it was seen as a cosmopolitan Nigerian city where everyone is equal..... It's no longer offering that

What do you think would happen and worse of is Lagos is FDI economy....

Lagos economy is so bad that people who bought houses in lekki 10 years ago are all in losses... Same can't be sad for Abuja at all

If you get money better go and invest in Abuja

No problem just over tax us idiots

What has Lagos got to show for its highest IGR?
Nothing

The same Lagos they are referring to was pronounced publicly as the second most unlivable city what a terrible ranking

Using negative example to illustrate stupidity

mrvitalis:

Which work is going on in eko Atlantic? 90% of the plots are empty and you call that work

Do you have a brain at all bro? Is anything stopping you from buying a land there and also develop it?

Nah private citizens like you dey buy and build in Eko Atlantic city, If e easy, go and buy land and build.

I've been to Eko Atlantic city, I don't depend on pictures on social media. Work is ongoing, the US consulate and some other projects are ongoing.

There's no timeline for the project because it's been finance by private individuals like you.

You're not smatter than the Americans who choose to build the largest consulate in the world at Eko Atlantic city in Lagos state instead of Abuja.

mrvitalis:


Lagos is what it is because it was seen as a cosmopolitan Nigerian city where everyone is equal..... It's no longer offering that

What do you think would happen and worse of is Lagos is FDI economy....

Lagos economy is so bad that people who bought houses in lekki 10 years ago are all in losses... Same can't be sad for Abuja at all

You're just saying rubbish just to back up your claim

Lagos still leads in terms of FDI

People who bought houses in Lekki 10 years ago are not regretting, prices of properties in Lekki are more expensive now than it was 10 years ago.

You IPOBdients are known to say any bullcrap just to back up your claim

mrvitalis:

Which work is going on in eko Atlantic? 90% of the plots are empty and you call that work

You don't live in Lagos, but you're arguing with someone who lives in Lagos state and went to Eko Atlantic city last month... You IPOBdients are just so foolish

Base on the fact that I live in Lagos and I have been to Eko Atlantic city, I can comfortably say construction work is ongoing in Eko Atlantic City.

The US could have built their largest consulate in the world in Abuja, but they choose Eko Atlantic City in Lagos state. You no get sense pass the American who choose Lagos State instead of Abuja.

Abuja is a wanderful place and is doing fine and I also love the city cause I have lived there before.

Look at the picture of Dubai in the 1980's, idiots like you would have doubt Dubai will get to the level it is now back then.

mrvitalis:

Which work is going on in eko Atlantic? 90% of the plots are empty and you call that work

You don't live in Lagos, but you're arguing with someone who lives in Lagos state and went to Eko Atlantic city last month... You IPOBdients are just so foolish

Base on the fact that I live in Lagos and I have been to Eko Atlantic city, I can comfortably say construction work is ongoing in Eko Atlantic City.

The US could have built their largest consulate in the world in Abuja, but they choose Eko Atlantic City in Lagos state. You no get sense pass the American who choose Lagos State instead of Abuja.

Abuja is a wanderful place and is doing fine and I also love the city cause I have lived there before.

Look at the picture of Dubai in the 1980's, people like you would have doubt Dubai will get to the level it is now back then.