By Akintayo Balogun Esq.
It was on news in recent times that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory had re-awarded the sum of 15 Billion naira, for the completion of the lodge for the office of the Vice President of Nigeria. This is coming after an initial sum of 7 Billion naira had been
awarded for the construction of the said lodge back in 2010. According to reports, approximately 6 Billion naira was released at the time, yet the lodge was not completed as funds were said not to be available.
In a shocking twist however, and right in the face of issues bedeviling Nigeria, the sum of 15 Billion naira is being earmarked for the construction of a lodge for the office of the Vice President of Nigeria despite pumping in about 6 Billion naira into the same project some few years ago. Several questions bugged my mind as I read through the report. Since the inception of democracy in 1999, we have had 5 separate vice presidents. Where have they been staying while in office? Why is building a lodge for the vice president a priority for the FCT Administration under the watchful eyes and mandate of the Federal Government? Why should a lodge for the vice president cost this much fortune in Nigeria? These are merely funds to complete an existing structure and not a building from scratch. There are so many things that would be more beneficial to the general populace than blowing 15 Billion naira on a single house that will serve just one office amidst the several more functional offices in Nigeria.
15 Billion naira, at the rate of 5 Million naira per unit, can build not less than 3,000 low-cost 2-bedroom apartments for civil servants across the federation. 15 Billion naira can put 30% or more of the roads in Nigeria in a motorable condition. 15 Billion naira can put refineries in order and save us the troubles of the international market and fluctuating prices of oil as well as the subsidy quagmire. 15 Billion naira can put at least 50 plastic tables and chairs in ALL the classes of Government-owned schools across the federation (Both State and Federal Schools) and will still have a good percentage of the funds left. 15 Billion naira can build 15 standard medical facilities across the federation. 15 Billion naira can wholly solve the transportation lacuna in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The FCT has a near-to-zero commercial transportation system. Over 90% of commuters in the FCT depend on private vehicles to move from the satellite towns to the city center. It was again on the news in recent times that the FCT Minister intends to ban the operation and use of Keke Napap within Abuja, yet without any plan for a replacement or an affordable and accessible means of transportation, thereby further deepening the transportation crisis in the city. 15 Billion naira can kick start the building of another water dam that can produce and provide reasonable electricity to Nigeria and raise the country above the 6,000 megawatts of electricity that has been the benchmark of the country‘s power generation since forever. 15 Billion naira can wholly fund an alternative power production and supply to a good number of communities in Nigeria. 15 Billion naira at 1 million per head can provide adequate resources, materials, and equipment for 15,000 small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs across the length and breadth of Nigeria. I am pained as I write this because this is the very bitter pill we struggled to stop but here we are. Reality is dawning on us. While Nigerians are battling and struggling to grapple with the sharp change/increment in the price of PMS and the continued threat of increment, near zero availability of kerosene, high cost of diesel and gas, etc, the government surprises us with excessive and superfluous expenses that have no benefit to Nigerians. We are yet to recover or even understand the rationale behind the supplementary budget that saw the approval of $2.8 Billion for the funding of a new bulletproof car for the President and his wife, a presidential yacht that may never be used by the president despite widespread criticism from citizens facing a cost-of-living crisis. We are yet to recover or understand the rationale behind our legislators approving the purchase of vehicles worth 160 Million naira each in the face of dwindling resources.
It is surprising to me that despite all the above listed stirring Nigeria in the nerves, the priority of the government at this time is the completion of the construction of the lodge for the office of the vice president of Nigeria. We have never had a vice resident complaining of a place to stay since the commencement of this political lineage. How do you explain this situation to Nigerians who pay so much for the PMS they consume? I have repeatedly said that the only thing the common man benefits from the Nigerian government is the subsidization of petroleum products. Having removed subsidy from its list of duties, the Federal Government is literally doing nothing more for Nigerians. I’ve been tempted to join a campaign for the return of our subsidy initiative.
I recall the inauguration and commissioning of the palatial buildings of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, at Jabi, FCT, Abuja. The then Acting Chairman of the Commission in his remark, stated that the project which comprised several buildings and a 7-storey building cost the Commission the sum of 3 Billion naira to execute. I have visited that edifice on several occasions and must admit that it was and is a world-class project. Now I am wondering why the office of the vice president of Nigeria should have a house that costs 5 times what is on the ground at the EFCC complex in Jabi, Abuja. This is absolutely unacceptable, unjustifiable, and callous. If the EFCC complex should cost that amount, then the vice president’s lodge should not cost up to 10% of what is being earmarked for the project, particularly as the funds are just needed to complete an already existing project. This is without prejudice to the exchange rate of the Nigerian Naira to the dollar.
It is of note that the building of the Vice President has had a checkered history. The building of the lodge had been first approved on a budget of 7 Billion naira in 2010. The structure was put in place but not completed, the former vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo had stated that the 6 billion naira that had already been spent on the project was a misapplication of funds. He stated that with the level of construction already done, the lodge would be completed and considered for other uses. In his exact words, “There is no need for a new residence for the vice president as the current one, called Aguda Hosue, is up to standard, with enough space and well managed… “A new house for the vice president is a kind of waste. But we are now in a situation where we cannot abandon it, so it has to be completed and used for a different thing”.
Despite already spending 6 Billion naira on the construction of the lodge, which is near completion, the current administration awards 15 Billion naira for the mere completion of the house that is already near completion. When I see activities of governance of this nature, I must confess that there is no honesty or sincerity in the process of governance. This to me is a mission by the government to recover their investment enroute power and nothing more. For me, the contract for the sum of 15 Billion naira at a trying time like this, for something as trivial as an additional house for the office of the vice president is unfair, resource-draining, self-gratifying, and insincerity in governance. There is absolutely no iota of honesty in it. Nigerians should stand up against these manipulations and deliberate siphoning of the commonwealth of Nigeria. There is no justification for this.
Balogun Esq., LL.B (Hons), BL, LL.M, is a legal practitioner in private practice based in Abuja, FCT. A prolific writer, public affairs analyst, and commentator on national issues. akinson6@gmail.com.
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