The federal lawmakers in Nigeria have approved a whooping N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex used by the Senate and House of Representatives.
Also endorsed as part of the Budget 2020 is N1 billion to cater for the amendment of the Constitution. This is slated to begin early next year.
President Muhammadu Buhari on October 8, presented a N10.33 trillion budget proposal to the joint session of the national assembly but lawmakers passed a N10.594 trillion estimate, an increase of N264 billion on December 5.
The N37 billion renovation cash is part of the N2.5trillion capital project provision which is to be carried out by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
National Assembly Director of Information, Dr. Rawlings Agada, said only the FCDA could speak on the renovation of the complex and the amount voted.
Agada, who noted that the National Assembly’s edifice needed attention, wondered if N37 billion would be enough for the job to be done.
He said: “You know that the details of the budget bill are not out. So, speaking to you on it now would amount to jumping the gun. You should know that the Aso Rock Villa, the Judiciary, the Supreme Court and the Federal Secretariat are all tagged as special projects under the Federal Government. And the FCDA undertakes such projects on behalf of the Federal Government.
“If you ask me, I will tell you that you are asking the wrong person because it is FCDA that is in the picture of everything because that is their own budget and they should be speaking on what they want to renovate.
“We have made our proposal to them in terms of facility decay in the National Assembly which all of you are familiar with.”
