By Taiwo Scholarstica
President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s decision to remove the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), arguing that the move has accelerated infrastructure development and improved project delivery across Abuja.
The President spoke on Monday while commissioning the new Office Annex of the Body of Benchers and 10 units of four-bedroom staff quarters at the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said exempting the FCTA from the TSA eliminated bureaucratic delays and gave the local administration the financial flexibility required to execute critical projects.
“When we pulled the FCT Administration out of the Treasury Single Account, there were skeptics who questioned the wisdom of that financial liberation. But we did it because we knew that local administration must have the liquidity, speed, and corporate flexibility to interface with financial institutions and deliver critical projects without bureaucratic strangulation. Today, the results are glaring,” the President said.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for implementing the policy effectively, noting that the ongoing transformation of Abuja reflects the administration’s vision of building a modern and functional capital city.
He added that beyond road networks, the FCT administration has also strengthened legal institutions by resolving long-standing land documentation issues affecting the Nigerian Law School through the issuance of its official Certificate of Occupancy.
The President also dismissed claims that the Executive is interfering with the independence of the judiciary through its investments in legal infrastructure.
“Let me be absolutely clear: the provision of infrastructure for the legal community and the judiciary is not an interference in the independence of another arm of government,” Tinubu said, emphasizing that such investments are part of the Executive’s constitutional responsibilities.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is funding additional projects at the Nigerian Law School, including a new auditorium, student hostels, and the complete digitization of academic and administrative operations.
Similar upgrades are currently ongoing across the justice sector to improve the working environment for judicial officers and enhance the administration of justice.