As it stands, Nigeria is poised to spend more on renovating the National Assembly complex in Abuja than it would on repairing federal roads across the country.

In the 2020 budget signed on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, the renovation of the National Assembly complex is set to gulp ₦37 billion.

Details of the spending were first given on Monday by the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who said Mr Buhari approved the amount after lawmakers met with him to explain the poor condition of the legislature building in Abuja.

The plan to spend the equivalent of $100 million on repairing just one building at a time key infrastructure, hospitals and schools across the country remain in terrible shape, has angered many Nigerians. Some have questioned how much would be required to build a new National Assembly if mere repairs cost that much.

For comparisons, while National Assembly votes that much for its own building, all that is earmarked by the government for capital projects by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) — the agency saddled with repairing broken federal roads across Nigeria — is ₦36.6 billion.

While the Federal Ministry of Works oversees the building of all federal roads, it is FERMA that is in charge of their repairs. Both agencies have struggled with poor funding over the years and have left hundreds of roads in the country in disrepair.

Last week, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the government owed contractors working on federal road projects up to N306 billion. He defended why the government should raise VAT and borrow more.

“If we had N1 trillion to spend on Nigerian roads we would be in a much better position. As of October, we were owing contractors N306 billion and more bills are coming in and all we got was N73billion,” he was quoted as saying.

Federal roads span 32,980 km (17% of the nation’s road network of 194,000 km), according to the estimate quoted by Mr Fashola in October when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Works. Most of the roads are broken and require attention.

The money for the renovation of the parliament building is not part of ₦128 billion voted for the National Assembly next year.

The N37 billion is tucked under the capital spending of the Federal Capital Development Administration. The capital expenditure for the FCTA is ₦62.4 billion, meaning more than half the money that should address Abuja’s deplorable infrastructure will go to fixing only the National Assembly.

Allocation to renovate NASS complex over the years
The Senate President, Mr Lawan, told journalists that no major renovation had been done on the National Assembly property for 20 years and many parts of the property had become dilapidated.

“The phase one renovation will commence – the chambers and committee rooms in the white house. ₦37 billion was sourced and was given. It was put under the FCT, not national Assembly. All we require is to have the complex renovated,” Mr Lawan said.

“When we are through with phase 1, we will go to phase 2. It is not under the control of the National Assembly. The complex is a national asset and is for the FCDA to take care.”

While monies may not have been assigned specifically for the “renovation” of the building, the National Assembly has received multiple funding for improved infrastructure since 1999.

In 2013, the Federal Executive Council approved a contract of ₦40.2 billion for the “construction of Phase III, Part III of the National Assembly complex and the upgrading of the assembly’s two chambers”.

Additionally, in the proposed 2017 National Assembly budget, ₦1.25 billion was budgeted for the purchase of security equipment by the Senate. Apart from this, ₦440 million was allocated for the same purpose under capital expenditure for the National Assembly office.

Also, at the peak of the scandal between the eighth Assembly and erstwhile finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, PREMIUM TIMES found that ₦454 million was spent on office equipment, and another ₦109 million was paid to Navadee Integrated Nigeria Ltd for “ICT supply of equipment” at NASS.

Aside a sum of ₦250 million paid to DCN Nigeria Ltd for “general renovation of main building”, this newspaper also found that the National Assembly spent ₦578 million on the refurbishing of meetings and committee rooms.

In like manner, the House of Representatives paid H and H Inter-Biz Services ₦50 million for the renovation of its committee rooms. This is notwithstanding another “painting of committee rooms” project worth ₦46 million and awarded to Jagsul Nigeria Ltd.

The lower chamber also awarded ₦39 million for the replacement of public address system in its committee rooms to Dee Ex Associate Ltd.

How big is ₦30 billion?
An investigation by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in 2018 revealed that there are only four radiotherapy machines available all over Nigeria, out of which only one — at the National Hospital Abuja — is functional for cancer treatment.

According to the report, barring associated costs such as the machine vault, treatment planning, oncology information system software, lasers, and other accessories, the most expensive linear radiotherapy machines cost between $750,000 and $1.5million (between ₦228 million and ₦457 million at the official rate of N305 to $1).

If the most expensive type is bought for ₦457 million, to equip each of the 21 federal teaching hospitals in the country with a radiotherapy machine would cost the country just about ₦9.6 billion.

Also, in the 2020 proposed budget of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), between ₦9 million and ₦16 million is allocated for the construction, renovation and equipping of the various Primary Health Centres (PHC) across the country.

If the most costly PHC is to be constructed for ₦16 million, each of the 774 local government areas in the country would get two Primary Health Centres. This would gulp ₦24.77 billion.

Additionally, the 2015 Constituency Projects report by BudgIT shows that the construction and furnishing of three classrooms, a headmaster office and toilet at Ukpogo, Uhunmwode LGA of Edo State, cost ₦15 million.

At this rate, about five of these classrooms can be constructed in each of the 36 states of the Federation.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/368724-while-buhari-approves-n37-billion-for-nass-renovation-nigerias-roads-repairs-get-less.html

BMC crew come and defend your masters action

And this Yeye same NASS are querying N5.1bn renovation contracts for NPA

Frontpage Lalasticala

Is Buhari not Evil?

A man who single-handedly turned Nigeria to the poverty capital of the world ...

A corrupt dullard whose only purpose on earth is to bankrupt Nigeria and supervise the massive looting of her treasury...

A man bereft of integrity to approve 37 billion to renovate a national assembly that cost 7 billion to construct..

Shame on those supporting this evil administration

ZombieTERROR:
Is Buhari not Evil?

A man who single-handedly turned Nigeria to the poverty capital of the world ...

A corrupt dullard whose only purpose on earth is to bankrupt Nigeria and supervise the massive looting of her treasury...

A man bereft of integrity to approve 37 billion to renovate a national assembly that cost 7 billion to construct..

Shame on those supporting this evil administration

That's the propaganda we are talking about in Nigerian government. He doesn't want to be impeached. So signing the money sharparly was a good idea for him and a way to mute the NASS.

He did not even know that the masses can impeach him too.

I thought Buhari said he would be different. Same same. Birds of a feather, flock together. PDP = APC.

Goldencheese:
I thought Buhari said he would be different. Same same. Birds of a feather, flick together. PDP = APC.

We all thought he would be different and had no idea he was even going to be worse than Abacha by the time he is done.

Anything to please the lawmakers.

Can you imagine the cocobility happening in Nigeria because we all allow incompetence to rule us .

ZombieTERROR:
Is Buhari not Evil?

A man who single-handedly turned Nigeria to the poverty capital of the world ...

A corrupt dullard whose only purpose on earth is to bankrupt Nigeria and supervise the massive looting of her treasury...

A man bereft of integrity to approve 37 billion to renovate a national assembly that cost 7 billion to construct..

Shame on those supporting this evil administration

This one is Wailer raised to power 3

Angelparadise:
Can you imagine the cocobility happening in Nigeria because we all allow incompetence to rule us .

Saraki and Dogara are thieves, they didn’t pass the budget on time yen yen yen


Now we’ve found two spotless and blameless individuals that passed the budget hastily...

Make una enjoy the next level ...

I think Osibanjo said it some days that government in Nigeria doesn't even try to focus on improving the livelihood of the Nigerian people and thats why we are the way we are today.
What surprises me is that a supposedly G'd up country like Nigeria allows brain dead people to dagbo them.

. We never see anything, 3million jobs on the way.

This particular case captures every evil inherent in our politicians and the system of government.

A very huge indictment on this regime I'd say.

helinues:

This one is Wailer raised to power 3

Buhari transferred YUSUF to a German hospital because he knows he's incapable of fixing the nation's healthcare....

He doesn't trust himself with his own life. That's why London is his first home...

Yet zombies who has nothing
No future
Nö power
No infrastructures
Who took over from India as the poverty capital
Who took over from India as the open defecation capital of the world
Will borrow data... Come online to defend their lord oppressor...

It's just a pathetic thing...

okorotalkative:
. We never see anything, 3million jobs on the way.

Jobs from where?....
What are they renovating?

The only reason Nigeria is a glorified shit hole is because of her educated illiterate citizenry

A lots of errors committed by you wailers , is that you can't reason with your brain just like normal people do. How this one concern Buhari? I wonder if Buhari is a member or president of national assembly. Not even Buhari company that will renovate the house.
National assembly brought a quotation which demand mr president signature.if truly we have professional journalists in Nigeria its their responsibility to investigate the project . They should question the company that will renovate the house.
But hell they will not do it Because there is no money there. Nigerians blogger only do dirty job.

ZombieTERROR:
Is Buhari not Evil?

A man who single-handedly turned Nigeria to the poverty capital of the world ...

A corrupt dullard whose only purpose on earth is to bankrupt Nigeria and supervise the massive looting of her treasury...

A man bereft of integrity to approve 37 billion to renovate a national assembly that cost 7 billion to construct..

Shame on those supporting this evil administration

ZombieTERROR:


Buhari transferred YUSUF to a German hospital because he knows he's incapable of fixing the nation's healthcare....

He doesn't trust himself with his own life. That's why London is his first home...

Yet zombies who has nothing
No future
Nö power
No infrastructures
Who took over from India as the poverty capital
Who took over from India as the open defecation capital of the world
Will borrow data... Come online to defend their lord oppressor...

It's just a pathetic thing...

Is that why Atiku can't relax at Obudu ranch resorts after election lose?

One of your chief wailers, Fayose, have been granted permission to go for medical trips in Abroad even though according to you guys, he don turn Ekiti to Dubai.

All these things you are clamoring for now, me I thought your hero Jona gbeja have turned Nigeria to Eldorado abi his achievements are audio?

Hypocrisy is when you condemned people of what you are guilty of

Sheer hypocrisy is when you mastered what you accused others of.

helinues:


Is that why Atiku can't relax at Obudu ranch resorts after election lose?

One of your chief wailers, Fayose, have been granted permission to go for medical trips in Abroad even though according to you guys, he don turn Ekiti to Dubai.

All these things you are clamoring for now, me I thought your hero Jona gbeja have turned Nigeria to Eldorado abi his achievements are audio?

Hypocrisy is when you condemned people of what you are guilty of

Sheer hypocrisy is when you mastered what you accused others of.

Atiku?....
Atiku is not the president..he's a businessman .. I know you forgot

A president leads by examples...

He closed the borders
But they eat foreign rice in Aso rock

Buhari told us to tie our belts and doubled our taxes in the process
But his travelling budget doubled

Buhari is evil personified and those who support him are worse than Ebola

Sign out 37bn.
Divide it into 3, Put one in ur pocket.
Give Lawan and the top senators one and perhaps give one portion to the contractors if magnanimous enough.

Yet come back to tax me more so you can maintain ur elaborate lifestyle.

See why I'd hate to pay tax as a Nigerian?

BuhariAdvocate:
A lots of errors committed by you wailers , is that you can't reason with your brain just like normal people do. How this one concern Buhari? I wonder if Buhari is a member or president of national assembly. Not even Buhari company that will renovate the house.
National assembly brought a quotation which demand mr president signature.if truly we have professional journalists in Nigeria its their responsibility to investigate the project . They should question the company that will renovate the house.
But hell they will not do it Because there is no money there. Nigerians blogger only do dirty job.

Buhari has to approve it....
Its not your fault not to be in the know

A tyrant advocate,. Spits

EmekaMD:
Sign out 49bn.
Divide it into 3, Put one in ur pocket.
Give Lawan and the top senators one and perhaps give one portion to the contractors if magnanimous enough.

Yet come back to tax me more so you can be maintain ur elaborate lifestyle.

See why I'd hate to pay tax as a Nigerian?

We have never had it so bad

Nigeria has gone to the dogs

Evil everywhere.... Evil defending evil everywhere

It shall never be well with Buhari and his rubber stamp Senate.. Including their soulless supporters

Gang of thieves

Rubber stamp bunch of pigeons..

ZombieTERROR:


Atiku?....
Atiku is not the president..he's a businessman .. I know you forgot

A president leads by examples...

He closed the borders
But they eat foreign rice in Aso rock

Buhari told us to tie our belts and doubled our taxes in the process
But his travelling budget doubled

Buhari is evil personified and those who support him are worse than Ebola

The mistakes you wailers always make is you judge others with your present conditions.. Your point of view or nothing else.

Atiku had the opportunity to have made Nigeria one of the greatest country in the world when he superseded the selling of some of our national assets. Some are sold to himself with the proxy of friends company.

He was part of those who invited Mikano to Nigeria ( Rumours have it he has shares there).

So Mr preachers, revise what you are preaching

helinues:


The mistakes you wailers always make is you judge others with your present conditions.. Your point of view or nothing else.

Atiku had the opportunity to have made Nigeria one of the greatest country in the world when he superseded the selling of some of our national assets. Some are sold to himself with the proxy of friends company.

He was part of those who invited Mikano to Nigeria ( Rumours have it he has shares there).

So Mr preachers, revise what you are preaching

Your point?

Atiku failed as VP ... Therefore Buhari must fail as a president....

Shame on you bro

ZombieTERROR:


Your point?

Atiku failed as VP ... Therefore Buhari must fail as a president....

Shame on you bro

This time read slowly...

Its either my way or nothing. " Wailer's mentality "

So how do you expect me to tell you that Buhari is trying his best? Abi which of the past Pdp presidents had the balls to close our border partially?

helinues:


This time read slowly...

Its either my way or nothing. " Wailer's mentality "

So how do you expect me to tell you that Buhari is trying his best? Abi which of the past Pdp presidents had the balls to close our border partially?

Results of the boarder closure?....

Are commodities cheaper and affordable than before

Are their more Jobs now than before

If you answer truthfully.... You will see that Buhari who enjoys foreign rice in aso rock is a confirmed failure

ZombieTERROR:


Results of the boarder closure?....

Are commodities cheaper and affordable than before

Are their more Jobs now than before

If you answer truthfully.... You will see that Buhari who enjoys foreign rice in aso rock is a confirmed failure

Increase in production means increase of labour.

This time again, read slowly