Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesome Wike has said that there are plans to spend about N15 billion for the construction of a new residence for Nigeria’s vice-president, a project started since 2010.
Wike disclosed this when he appeared before a House of Representatives committee to defend the FCT N61.5 billion 2023 supplementary budget.
President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the N67 billion FCT supplementary budget to the National Assembly while seeking accelerated approval.
Following the president’s request, the lower legislative chamber quickly passed the bill for first and second reading after Wike told the lawmakers that the construction of a new residence for the vice-president was approved in 2010 by the federal executive council (FEC) at the cost of N7 billion, but that the project was abandoned.
The minister said the current administration has opted to initiate the construction of the project, and the contractor has revised the cost to N15 billion.
Wike said an initial sum of N5 billion has been earmarked in the FCT supplementary budget to get the project underway.
The VP residence that was awarded in 2010 at the cost of N7 billion was abandoned,” Wike said.
“It is embarrassing that a country of this nature cannot in 13 years, complete the VP’s residence. N7 billion, now the contractor is saying well, we cannot continue to do it without review.
