Federal Executive Council Halts Major Projects For Cost Review Under Tinubu’s Directive

President Bola Tinubu has directed a review of projects that require more funds, especially major ones from the Ministry of Works, to ensure they are managed with probity, proficiency and diligence in execution.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris shared this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday. He mentioned that projects inherited by the Tinubu administration, requiring cost adjustments, will be put on hold for now, Punch reported.

Idris explained that the president wanted the council to reconsider memos from Minister of Works David Umahi, especially those needing more money.

Umahi, alongside the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning and Finance, will reassess these projects to align them with the budget. If extra funds are needed, they will present this to the next council meeting for further discussion.

"The whole idea is to ensure that we have a robust National Council on Procurement that will look at all aspects of procurement, and to bring every project into the fiscal financial discipline that the president is always talking about," the minister said, Punch reported.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu said that Tinubu wanted to improve fiscal discipline and show Nigerians his dedication to better service, apart from highlighting the need to align the Appropriation Act, Public Procurement law and Fiscal Responsibility Act for better coordination.

"The FEC has set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to review the Public Procurement Act," Bagudu added. "The president directed that all ministries, department and agencies, should review their intended procurement as provided for in the appropriation."

He emphasized the need to address gaps between allocated funds and the actual costs of projects, noting that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning along with the Federal Ministry of Finance will identify these gaps and provide clear recommendations to the FEC.

This will ensure that FEC decisions are well-informed about funding sources and necessary adjustments.

In May, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to be patient, saying that Tinubu was making wise decisions for the country. The remarks came as the country was going through economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy, and skyrocketing fuel and food prices.