The North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) has clarified reports on its proposed ₦140 billion 2025 budget, stating that the figures currently circulating are preliminary and still undergoing legislative review.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Commission’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, James Uloko, said the proposal remains a working document until it is approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.
“As a new commission barely one month old, the NCDC has begun its full takeoff process with the submission of a ₦140 billion budget proposal to the National Assembly,” the statement read.
The Commission’s management defended the proposal before the Senate Committee on the NCDC on September 30, during which lawmakers held open and closed-door sessions to review and adjust the estimates before giving provisional approval.
Uloko explained that while the total budget figure was retained, some allocation details reported in the media were inaccurate and did not reflect the committee’s adjustments. The corrected figures, he said, would be captured in the final approved document.
The NCDC added that the budget process will only be completed after the House of Representatives conducts its own review and harmonizes its position with the Senate.
The Commission urged the public to disregard speculative reports, emphasizing that the final budget will align with the national budget cycle and uphold transparency and accountability.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to equitable development across the North-Central region and the Federal Capital Territory through inclusive consultations and targeted interventions to address infrastructure, social, and economic challenges.
