The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, justified the N15 billion budgetary allotment for the Vice-President’s new home despite ongoing economic difficulties.
Speaking to a committee of the House of Representatives, Wike emphasized that the project had been abandoned in 2010 despite receiving initial permission for N7 billion.
Wike said,
“It is embarrassing that a country of this nature cannot complete the VP’s residence in 13 years.”
With a pledge to finish the project by May 2023, the FCT’s N61.5 billion 2023 supplemental budget included an initial N5 billion due to the revised cost, which is currently N15 billion.
Lawmakers expressed their discomfort about the large budget in the face of economic difficulties.
Wike defended the allocation, emphasizing the necessity of providing the Vice-President with a befitting residence.
He stated,
“We believe that we are going to incorporate it into our own statutory budget. Let us finish it even if they don’t want to use it.”
“In a parallel development, the 2023 supplementary budget marked N2.5 billion for the Aguda house renovation, N3 billion for the Vice-President’s residence in Lagos state, and a noteworthy N2.8 billion for FCTA publicity.
Wike justified the publicity budget, stating, “You use money to make money.”
