News
Amid economic frustrations FG burns N5bn on Lagos VP’s residence
Despite ravaging hunger and ongoing economic challenges and escalating inflation affecting millions of Nigerians, the Federal Government has come under scrutiny for allocating a significant N5 billion towards the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence in Lagos.
In November 2023, the Federal Government outlined a supplementary budget of N2.17 trillion, which included N3 billion specifically allocated for refurbishing the Vice President’s Lagos residence and an additional N2.5 billion for his official quarters at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. These expenditures were part of an effort to upgrade government infrastructure, yet they have sparked widespread concern among citizens facing economic hardships.
According to findings from GovSpend, a civic technology platform that monitors federal expenditures, the actual amount spent on the Vice President’s Lagos residence renovations in 2024 totaled N5,034,077,063.
This sum, spent between May and September, exceeded the initial budgetary estimates, raising questions about the use of public funds amid broader financial constraints.
A closer look at the spending details shows that on May 31, 2024, the State House disbursed N2,827,119,051 to Denderi Investment Limited, an engineering firm, to undertake renovations on the Vice President’s Lagos residence.
Later, on September 5, 2024, additional payments were made for further work on the property, including N726,748,686 from the Office of the Chief of Staff for additional renovations, and N1,480,209,326 for a second phase of the project.
The substantial scale of these allocations has drawn attention from both the public and civil society organizations advocating for fiscal responsibility.
In addition to the Lagos renovation costs, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced in November 2023 a plan to construct a new residence for the Vice President in Abuja, at an estimated cost of N15 billion. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike presented this plan during a House of Representatives committee session to justify the FCTA’s supplementary budget of N61.5 billion.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a prominent civil rights organization, criticized these expenditures, labeling them as misaligned with the nation’s current financial challenges and a violation of constitutional principles. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, highlighted the strain that debt servicing places on the country’s budget, with an estimated 30 percent (N8.25 trillion) of the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion earmarked for debt payments. Oluwadare argued that allocating billions for a new vice-presidential residence in such times represents a breach of public trust.
Other advocates have voiced similar concerns. Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, questioned the sincerity of the government’s commitment to reducing governance costs, pointing out that budget allocations for executive expenses have seen minimal cuts in the past 16 months. Likewise, Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, emphasized the need for a constitutional framework to control government spending, suggesting that a new, more restrictive constitution could help curb excessive financial allocations in the future.
These calls for restraint underscore the pressing need for policy decisions that prioritize public welfare, particularly as citizens face economic pressures on a daily basis.
The Ondo State Government has declared Friday as public holiday to enable civil servants and others to travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday evening signed by O.F Ayodele, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of service.
The statement reads, “The 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
“To this end, the Ondo State Government has declared Friday, 15th November, 2024 as Work-Free Day for Public Servants in the State to enable them travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
“All Accounting Officers are to note the content of this Circular and disseminate same to all staff of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
The Board of Directors at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a leadership shakeup, appointing key executives to strengthen corporate governance and operational efficiency.
This was made known in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
In the series of new appointments, Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been named as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding his prior role as Executive Vice President of the Downstream sector, where he contributed significantly to NNPC’s downstream operations.
Segun replaced the outgoing CFO, Umar Ajiya.
Joining him in newly appointed roles, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.
Udobong Ntia has also been appointed as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, replacing the outgoing EVP Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.
The statement read, “These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organisation’s strategic objectives.
“The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.
NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritising the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry.”
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says a total of 1,463 people were killed by non-state actors while 1,172 Nigerians were kidnapped between January to September 2024.
According to the data from the commission, the month of May recorded the highest number of persons killed with 298 while March recorded the highest number of abductions with 499 kidnappings.
These figures were presented on Wednesday at a workshop on the state of human rights in Nigeria by the commission and the European Union, in Abuja.
In his remarks, NHRC Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hillary Ogbonna, gave a breakdown of the alarming rise in human rights abuses, including kidnappings, killings and child abandonment.
“By January 2024, we already had 150 kidnappings and 55 killings associated mainly with non-state actors. What has become the norm is the killing of law enforcement officers,” he said.
“We started with seven policemen killed in January. From victims’ perspectives, we had quite a number of victims for human rights violations for January.”
The NHRC attributed the rise in kidnappings, killings and child abandonment to the negligence of the state tom protect its citizens.
“In recent years, we have witnessed alarming trends and threats against those who dare to speak the truth to power.
“It serves as a stark reminder that the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action and cooperation from all sectors of the society,” Tony Ojukwu, NHRC Executive Secretary said.
The delegation from the EU reiterates its commitment to support Nigeria to overcome these challenges. It also urged the Federal Government to work with the armed forces to end this trend.
“The European Union will continue to work around the world through diplomacy,” the Head of EU Delegation, Zissimos Vergos, said.
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