By: Bayero Ade
The Federal Government has earmarked ₦6.36 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of residences for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and their aides, as part of the proposed 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Presented to the National Assembly, the budget includes ₦5.49 billion for the annual maintenance of the Presidential Villa. In addition, ₦765 million is allocated for renovating the Vice President’s residence and guest house, while ₦6.39 million will be spent on refurbishing the President’s quarters at the State House.
Renovations to various facilities, including the security quarters, auditorium, gymnasium, and staff quarters for presidential aides, are projected to cost ₦49 million.
Further budget allocations include ₦51 million for the renovation of Prescott Barracks, the officers’ mess building, and the signal office in Asokoro, Abuja. Additionally, ₦140.1 million will be used to complete renovations and furnish the State House annex at Dodan Barracks in Lagos.
The budget also outlines significant expenses for vehicles and honoraria. President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima are allocated ₦87 million for honorarium and sitting allowances, while ₦127 million is designated for the purchase of SUVs. Furthermore, ₦3.66 billion is budgeted for operational vehicles for the State House, and ₦1.09 billion will go toward replacing SUVs.
Routine maintenance of State House facilities, including Dodan Barracks and the Vice President’s guest house in Ikoyi, will cost ₦14.72 million.
In a related development, ₦1.83 billion has been set aside to convert properties forfeited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into State House quarters. This follows the EFCC’s announcement of its largest asset recovery, a 150,500-square-meter estate in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, which includes 753 duplexes and other units. The property was forfeited on December 2, 2024, after a court ruling by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
Leave a Reply