Tijjani Umar, the State House permanent secretary, says the N7.2 billion earmarked for the maintenance of the Presidential Villa, in the 2023 budget, is grossly inadequate.
Umar said this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Federal Character on Thursday, November 3.
Recall that a total of N21.1 billion was allocated to the State House for the 2023 fiscal year. The State House also earmarked N1.96 billion for vehicle purchase and N644 million for maintenance of the State House Lagos Complex and guest houses.
According to Umar, the State House 2023 budget was cut by almost 50 per cent and the allocation is inadequate.
Mr Umar told the Senate panel that the total budget size of N21.1 billion for the State House in 2023 is N19 billion less when compared to the N40 billion appropriated for it in the 2022 fiscal year.
He said the proposed N7.2 billion for the maintenance of Villa facilities formed the critical component of the capital expenditure segment of the proposed budget.
The “facilities”, he explained, include but are not limited to electrical/mechanical installations, buildings and infrastructures in the President’s and Vice President’s residences, offices, State House Auditorium, Presidential and Ministerial Airport Chalets.
“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.
