The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has described the N37 billion meant for the renovation of the National
Assembly complex as an unpardonable rip-off plot and the last straw of the
brazen corruption that pervades the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC
administration.
PDP said it was indefensible for
the Buhari Presidency to propose a whopping N37 billion for renovation work on
the National Assembly complex, which was built at the cost of N7 billion naira.
The former ruling party stated
this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday.
PDP insisted that the over 500
percent padding of the original construction cost is completely insupportable
even with the prevailing costs and exchange rate regime, a “development that
has already spurred public outcry and apprehensions of plots to divert the fund
for political interests of certain APC leaders.”
The statement reads: “The over
bloated renovation figure is therefore not only sacrilegious but also further
confirms that the APC-led administration is overtly corrupt and only out to steal,
drain and divert our national resources for selfish purposes of certain
individuals in the present administration.”
The party insisted that such
corruption was unacceptable in a nation confronted by alarming economic
downturn, extreme poverty, hunger, decayed infrastructure and security
challenges.
The PDP, however, noted that the
“N37 billion is embedded in the budget of the Federal Capital Development
Authority (FCDA) as approved by President Buhari, which leaves the burden of
explanation on Mr. President’s doorsteps.
“We, therefore, charge President
Buhari to demonstrate the integrity of his approval by immediately publishing a
detailed breakdown of the renovation project in line with his recent directives
to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“President Buhari is challenged
to immediately publish the details of the individual renovation lines, amount
and reason for each payment as well as the contractors, beneficiaries and
payment patterns for Nigerians to
see, if indeed the money has not
been detailed for diversion.
“The party charge the National
Assembly to stand on the side of the people by using its statutory legislative
instruments to thoroughly scrutinize the FCDA budget and eliminate all embedded
padding designed to fleece our nation.”
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