FG mandates GPS coordinates for projects above N150m

In a renewed push for transparency, traceability, and accountability in public spending, the Federal Government has directed that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must include Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for capital projects valued at ₦150 million and above in their 2025 expenditure submissions.

This requirement is part of the official implementation guidelines for the 2025 Appropriation Act, issued by the Budget Office of the Federation. The move is intended to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of capital projects across the country, minimize duplication, and ensure that public funds are effectively utilized.

According to the guideline, the new rule applies to all MDAs preparing and submitting monthly expenditure plans to both the Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). The deadline for submission of the 2025 expenditure plans is July 31, 2025, and these plans will serve as the foundation for cash planning throughout the fiscal year.

The guideline reads:

“All MDAs are requested to submit their monthly Expenditure Plans for the full year to the Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation by July 31, 2025, which will guide cash planning. The MDAs’ Expenditure Plans must indicate the GPS coordinates for all capital projects of ₦150m and above.”

Furthermore, it states that the Director-General of the Budget Office must sign off on each MDA’s expenditure plan to ensure consistency with the provisions of the 2025 Appropriation Act and the Federal Government’s development priorities.

This GPS requirement forms part of a broader strategy to enhance the Bottom-Up Cash Management framework currently adopted by the Federal Government. It is also expected to reduce the incidence of abandoned, duplicated, or untraceable projects, which have plagued the public sector over the years. By mandating GPS data, the government aims to facilitate better project verification, enable digital tracking, and support independent audits of capital project execution.

The guideline also emphasized the importance of prompt procurement planning, instructing MDAs to begin procurement activities immediately in accordance with approved budget provisions. It stressed that capital budget implementation will not be extended beyond December 2025, thereby reinforcing the urgency for timely project execution.

In line with the directive, the Federal Government also announced that monthly cash releases to MDAs will be strictly based on their submitted expenditure plans. These releases will be governed by a comprehensive cash plan for the 2025 fiscal year, which will be prepared by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

The consolidated cash plan is expected to be signed off by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

The latest guidelines reflect the government’s intensified efforts to improve fiscal discipline and enhance the impact of capital spending, particularly at a time when concerns remain high over the effectiveness, location accuracy, and long-term outcomes of large-scale public infrastructure projects.