The Senate has queried the N4bn
earmarked for the construction of a mission house for First ladies, as
listed in the 2013 budget of the Federal Capital Territory.
It also questioned the plan to expend
N7.5bn on the management of the FCT and N150m on the renovation
of the Vice-President’s Guest House in Asokoro, Abuja.
The Senate raised the concerns during
its second reading of the FCTA’s N253.2bn budget, of which N48.034bn
is for personnel cost; N49.5bn for overheads and the balance of
N155.7bn for capital projects.
Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba
(SAN), while leading the debate, said, “The fundamental thrust of the
bill is for the provision of services and infrastructure which are in
tandem with Mr. President’s transformation agenda on empowerment.”
The breakdown of the budget shows that a
total of N48.65bn is earmarked for the completion and construction of
some vital roads in the FCT and the provision of infrastructural
facilities in some districts.
Such projects include N7.45bn for the
expansion and rehabilitation of Onex (Kubwa) and Airport Expressway;
N22. 53bn for infrastructure at ongoing districts and roads; and
N2.7bn for water supply.
“The sum of N4bn is proposed for the
construction of First Ladies Mission Building. Also the sum of N150m is
set aside for the renovation of Vice-President’s Guest House in Asokoro.
“The sum of N24bn is proposed for the
provision of infrastructural facilities and the completion of ongoing
projects. About N23bn is for the completion of ongoing projects while
N470m is for new projects.”
Further breakdown indicated that N30bn
was earmarked for the provision of infrastructure and services in the
education sector and N12bn for the health sector.
Transport got N50. 5bn; environment,
N5.2bn; security, N2.4bn; Agriculture, N6bn; social development, N5bn
and management of Abuja city, N7. 5bn . In addition, a total of N1.6bn
was proposed for the construction of a resettlement house and payment of
compensation.
Ndoma-Egba noted that Abuja was too far
behind in terms of achieving the development target envisaged, adding
that only 20 per cent of the target had been achieved due to scarce
resources.
Deputy Leader of the Senate, Abdul Ningi, while commenting, noted that there was a misplacement of priority in the FCT budget.
He questioned the rationale behind the
provision of N4bn for the First Ladies mission house and N150m for
the renovation of the Vice-President’s Guest House.
Ningi, said, “This is a misplacement of
priority, how can we have N4bn for a house for first ladies. The N150m
for the renovation of guest house of the Vice- President shows that we
are not getting our priorities right.”
President of the Senate, David Mark, observed that the budget had some faults but did not make any specific reference.
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Nigerian budget is a joke.
ReplyDeleteWhy have they not budgeted 5bn naira for first lady laughter and 7bn for president's walking stick?. This is a mojor omission. - AJ
ReplyDeleteThis pple r jokers. 4bn 4 first lady house? What's wrong with Nigerian leadres? Can't she stay with her husband? May God safe us. Matty17
ReplyDeletematty,its not her house.its called mission house.if you dnt undrestand,dnt comment
DeleteBudgeting in ninja is d distribution of National cake 2 d privilage nigerians towards his/her comfortibility & pleasure.
ReplyDeleteWhen state resources are managed by greedy politicians in an environment of institutionalised corruption, the result is ultimately, the breeding of flocks of rightly disgruntled youth that will inevitably, interact with 'the policy makers' in one way or the other.
ReplyDeletelet them continue, all i know revolution is eminent in this Naija.
ReplyDeleteJonathan is the worst President Nigeria ever had... God Help Nigeria..!
ReplyDeleteI thought GEJ was naija messiah until he is proving himself as the worst president only full of sweet talk !
ReplyDeleteWhy can't ouR leadErs follow afteR the footstep of AlexandeR the GReat. God save us O, Mission ko. FiRst lady Ni.
ReplyDelete