Top Story

NASS appropriates N37bn for National Assembly Complex renovation in 2020 budget

399

 

 

Kunle Akinsola

 

A whooping N37 billion is to be spent on the renovation of the National Assembly complex as contained in the 2020 budget.


Another N1billion has also been approved by the lawmakers for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution scheduled to begin early 2020.

On Oct. 8, President Muhammadu Buhari had presented a N10.33 trillion budget to the joint session of the National Assembly but lawmakers increased it to N10.594 trillion, an increase of N264 billion and passed it on Dec. 5.

The N37 billion renovation cash is part of the N2.5trillion capital project provision which is to be carried out by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Contacted, the National Assembly Director of Information, Dr. Rawlings Agada, said only the FCDA could  speak on the renovation of the complex and the amount voted.

Agada, who noted that the National Assembly’s edifice needed attention, wondered if N37 billion would be enough.

“You know that the details of the budget bill are not out. So, speaking to you on it now would amount to jumping the gun.

“You should know that the Aso Rock Villa, the Judiciary, the Supreme Court and the Federal Secretariat are all tagged as special projects under the Federal Government.
“And the FCDA undertakes such projects on behalf of the Federal Government.

“If you ask me, I will tell you that you are asking the wrong person because it is FCDA that is in the picture of everything because that is their own budget and they should be speaking on what they want to renovate.

“We have made our proposal to them in terms of facility decay in the National Assembly which all of you are familiar with,” he said.

He added:“The National Assembly needs a lot of work. I don’t think even that amount of money can take care of all those things because even the dome has been leaking and there is  fear that if the repairs are not done, we might suffer greater problem in the future.

“I think the leadership of the National Assembly took note of that pursuant to the concerns raised by the management.

“That is just that because I don’t have the details of the budget but I am aware that there is a lot that needs to be done.

“Over time, the National Assembly management has been squeezing from the little that comes their way to repair things but anything that deals with physical infrastructure in terms of major repairs is usually captured under the Federal Government budget and it is done by the FCDA. So we cannot speak on that now.  The details should come from them (FCDA).”

PerSecondNews recalls that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, MrbFemi Gbajabiamila had raised alarm over what he called the decaying National Assembly building.

Most of the amendments proposed to the Constitution by the 8th National Assembly were rejected by President Buhari.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan is expected to inaugurate members of the Constitution Review Committee early next year.

Some Senators are wondering what the shape of the 2020 Constitution amendment will be in view of some controversial bills – like the Hate-Speech Bill and the Social Media Regulation Bill – pending before  the National Assembly.

It was learnt  that apart from the N38 billion for the two projects,  the alleged uneven distribution of zonal intervention projects in the 2020 budget  is generating furore in the two chambers

Many Senators feel that they were “unduly sidelined” in the number and amount allocated for “discretionary projects” assigned to their constituencies.

Presiding officers of the Senate and those allegedly “favoured” by the leadership are said to have “huge sums” allocated to their constituencies while others claimed that they could barely attract projects of much worth.

It was also learnt that the N264 billion increase in the budget was created for some “discretionary constituency projects” allocated to constituencies.

The N264 billion is different from the N100billion already set aside in the appropriation bill for the same purpose by President  Buhari.

A source said the N264 billion addition was specifically created to “accommodate and take care of discretionary projects” inserted into  the fiscal document.

The source noted that “the understanding was that each Senator would be allocated a project worth N200 million while each of  their counterparts in the House of Representatives would get a project to the tune of N150 million.”

According to him, “a cursory look at the budget recently passed by both chambers of the National Assembly shows that while some got mouth-watering projects, others got far less than the supposedly agreed amounts.”

He said some projects allocated to a Senatorial district in the Northeast by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development amounted to over N2 billion.

He listed the projects to include procurement of farm implements and accessories in the   Senatorial district at the cost of N475 million and the construction of six  culverts and drains  at N143million.

Others, according to him, are the construction of six culvert and drains in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) at N144 million and construction of six culverts and drains in two other LGAs in the same  state at the cost of N143 million.

He said the ministry also earmarked the sum of N900 million for the construction of rural roads in some selected LGAs within the same senatorial zone as well as another N200 million for the supply of farm implements, fertilizer  and other empowerment items to farmers  in all the villages and towns in the same senatorial district.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the source said, has  a provision of N700 million for the installation of all-in-one solar powered street light across the eight LGAs of a Senatorial district in the Southsouth.

The sum of N100 million, according to him , was discovered to have been allocated to each LGA for project execution in the same district.

He said that a Senatorial district in Northcentral represented by an influential  Senator  has N570miilion set aside for  projects under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The projects as listed by the source are the provision of agricultural equipment for farmers 120/150 horse power of John Deer tractors at N200 million and the construction of 12kms rural roads  at  N120 million.

Others are  the provision solar street lights across communities in the Senatorial district at  the  sum of N100 million and purchase of motorised boreholes, farm implements and input for farmers as well as the  training and empowerment of youth and women in various agricultural value chain in in the  district  at N150 million.

He said the budget of the National Lottery Trust Fund domiciled in the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs contains a provision for the empowerment of youths and women, purchase of motorcycles, sewing machines, refrigerators and grinding machines  in another Senatorial district in the North-Central  at the cost of N100 million.

However, the Senate spokesman, Mr Godiya Akwashiki said the increase in the 2020 budget because of additional revenue the Senate discovered during the budget consideration.

Akwashiki said the additional revenue was applied to relevant agencies of government for the betterment of the country.

“The Appropriation Committee did a very thorough job and discovered additional revenue that was not captured.

“So, they needed to apply it to ministries, departments and agencies. That was what brought about the increase.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

Updated: Abuja Court grants N1.1 bln bail to 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 million bail...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Breaking: 10 fatalities confirmed as building collapses in Ibadan

A weehours building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday...

Breaking: After five hours of screening, Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu, six others as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday screened and confirmed the nominations of Ambassador Bianca...

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

The Senate has started screening the seven ministerial nominees of President Bola...

Alleged homosexuality: RCCG suspends two pastors, launches investigation

For allegedly breaching the church’s doctrine and the Holy Bible, two pastors...

Helicopter crash: NNPC Ltd. spokesman Soneye cancels golden jubilee birthday celebration in honour of departed souls

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National...

Biden in 30-minute phone call with Tinubu, hails Binance executive release

President Bola Tinubu and US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute phone...

Tinubu Receives Briefing on Local Currency Oil Sales Amid Pricing Disputes

President Bola Tinubu has received a briefing from the Implementation Committee on...

Kcee and Flavour engage in heated exchange over Igbo music style

The Nigerian music industry is once again witnessing a brewing fiery clash...

In Lagos, 150 Ajegunle widows, vulnerable lifted with food items, cash gifts

As part of efforts to provide succor and the much-needed support to...

Economic hardship: I’m not T-pain, you are mischievous, Tinubu replies Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from the Presidency...

Just in: Air Peace denies plan to hike Lagos-Abuja airfare

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has dismissed rumours about raising...