The N7.2 billion allocated in the 2023 budget for the upkeep of the Presidential Villa, according to Tijjani Umar, the permanent secretary of the White House, is woefully insufficient.
On November 3rd, Umar made this statement when testifying before the Senate Committee on Federal Character.
Recall that the State House received a total of N21.1 billion for the 2023 fiscal year. The State House also set aside N644 million for upkeep of the State House Lagos Complex and guest rooms and N1.96 billion for the procurement of vehicles.
Umar claims that the provision for the State House 2023 budget, which was reduced by nearly 50%, is insufficient.
According to Mr. Umar, the State House would have a total budget of N21.1 billion in 2023, which is N19 billion less than the N40 billion that was allocated to it in the 2022 fiscal year.
According to him, the N7.2 billion in capital expenditures that were planned for the upkeep of Villa facilities was a crucial part of the budget.
The President’s and Vice President’s houses, offices, the State House Auditorium, and the Presidential and Ministerial Airport Chalets are among the “facilities,” according to him, but they are not the only ones.
“These commitments usually take about 65% of the total appropriation of the State House. In order to keep the facilities in optimal working condition, the sum of N7.2 billion has been proposed for the year 2023 against the sum of N7.76 billion in 2022.
“It is also instructive to note that the provision of N1.96 billion in the 2023 proposal for vehicle purchase would still be inadequate to meet existing requirements. 2023 being an election year which entails frequent travels with associated costs as well as the replacement of vehicles by incoming administration,” he said.
