Nigerians of various persuasions are expressing outrage over reported approval of N37 billion Naira for the renovation of the Nigerian National Assembly.
While details of the renovation are still sketchy,the renovation fund is expected to be sourced from the loan the Federal Government is sourcing from lenders.
Premium Times had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex.
The amount, which is included in the 2020 budget, is however not part of the N128 billion allocated for the National Assembly for next year.
The money is instead part of the 2020 budget of the Federal Capital Development Administration, the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, told journalists in Abuja on Monday.
Mr Lawan said there has been no major renovation of the National Assembly building for 20 years and many parts of the property had become dilapidated.
“We met the president and (it was) related the condition of the complex,” he said.
“The president responded and said he was going to renovate the complex. The phase one renovation will commence – the chambers and committee rooms in the white house.
“N37 billion was sourced and was given. It was put under the FCT, not national Assembly. All we required is to have the complex renovated.
Criticism of the renovation project was led by even members and sympathizers of the ruling party.
A social media influencer of the ruling party,J.J Omojuwa tweeted variously on the subject as follows :
“I could say the renovation of the National Assembly is the last thing on the average Nigerian’s mind and I’d still be lying because such a frivolity is not on their mind. They want a country they can stop trying to escape, a system that supports their dreams and aspirations.
“N37b to supposedly renovate the National Assembly is another thing Nigerians can work together to fight. Those guys are unitedly raping you, this isn’t time to check whether you refer a broom or an umbrella, they prefer your future and they are eating it up without remorse!
“Constituted Brigandage! N37b will elevate 4 Federal Universities to world class standard, you attract $ from Africa & retain some. It’d get you at least 2 world class hospitals that’d stem the medical exodus. Leaders don’t eat up their people. This is cannibalistic! Madness”
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