The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approached the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to seek approval for access to the Natural Resources Development Fund to finance infrastructure projects across the territory.

According to a statement on Friday by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the RMAFC, Maryam Yusuf, the delegation from the FCT was led by the Acting Chairman of the FCT-Internal Revenue Service, Mr Michael Ango, who represented the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike.

The presentation was made on Wednesday to the Commission’s Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee at its headquarters in Abuja.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Commission, the Chairman of the Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, commended the FCT Minister for what he described as “innovative approaches” to developing the capital’s natural resources.

“The Commission welcomes the innovative approaches of the Honourable Minister to develop some of the natural resources of the FCT through agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism to accelerate the socio-economic development of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole,” Akawor was quoted as saying.

He explained that the 1.68 per cent Development of Natural Resources Fund is one of the special funds established by the Revenue Allocation (Federation Account, etc). Act, CAP A15 LFN, 2004.

He said the fund receives direct monthly allocations from the Federation Account and is held in trust for the three tiers of government.

According to him, the fund is designed to support economic diversification through investments in agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism.

“To access the fund, the Commission established a procedure where the requesting entity is required to make a formal presentation to the Commission through the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee,” he said.

He added that the Committee would carry out a physical assessment to verify the viability of the proposed projects before making recommendations to the President.

Akawor assured the FCT team that the Committee would ensure fairness and equity while making its recommendations.

“We will be guided by the objectives for which the Fund was established,” he said.

In his remarks, Ango, who made the presentation on behalf of the Minister, said the FCT was seeking the funds to implement projects including the rehabilitation and desilting of dams such as Lower Usuma, Pedan, Jabi Lake, and Kilankwa to support year-round crop production; installation of solar-powered irrigation systems; and establishment of six mechanisation service centres.

Other proposed projects include the procurement of tractors and equipment for smallholder farmers, provision of on-farm storage and harvesting technology, modernisation of grain and cattle markets, improved veterinary services, and the development of the FCT’s tourism and solid minerals sectors.

During the interactive session, members of the Committee asked questions regarding the objectives, implementation strategy, and expected impact of the projects.

Ango, in response, assured the Commission that “the funds would be judiciously utilised if the request to access them is granted.”

In his vote of thanks, the Federal Commissioner representing the FCT, Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, commended the FCT-IRS for its vision in boosting internally generated revenue and described the agency’s development strategy as “a key driver of sustainable national growth.”

He also reiterated RMAFC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountability, and due diligence in evaluating requests for funding under the Natural Resources Development Fund.