Budget for the repairs of the National Assembly was slashed from N37 billion to N9 billion, the Senate announced on Wednesday. The Senate was reacting to Tuesday’s heavy downpour which led to massive leakage of the White House, which houses the two chambers, letting in rainwater and flooding parts of the lobby.
Abdullahi said the N37 billion earmarked for renovation of the National Assembly complex in the 2020 budget was slashed to N9 billion in the revised one.
In his reaction, the Senate President said “the fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position the National Assembly took initially.”
“Everyone knows that this place is overdue for rehabilitation. We went to see Mr President and he was gracious and he asked us to meet with FCTA, the owners of the building.
“Myself, the speaker, late chief of staff and minister of finance met to look for money for the rehabilitation of the National Assembly,” Lawan said.
He said “When the N37 billion was approved, it was not a National Assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget.
“If this place leaks, we are not holding our democracy with the respect it has. We expect the press to inform the people responsibly.
“This house is the house of Nigerians. It belongs to Nigerians and it deserves to be rehabilitated.”
Budget for the repairs of the National Assembly was slashed from N37 billion to N9 billion, the Senate announced on Wednesday. The Senate was reacting to Tuesday’s heavy downpour which led to massive leakage of the White House, which houses the two chambers, letting in rainwater and flooding parts of the lobby.
Abdullahi said the N37 billion earmarked for renovation of the National Assembly complex in the 2020 budget was slashed to N9 billion in the revised one.
In his reaction, the Senate President said “the fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position the National Assembly took initially.”
“Everyone knows that this place is overdue for rehabilitation. We went to see Mr President and he was gracious and he asked us to meet with FCTA, the owners of the building.
“Myself, the speaker, late chief of staff and minister of finance met to look for money for the rehabilitation of the National Assembly,” Lawan said.
He said “When the N37 billion was approved, it was not a National Assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget.
“If this place leaks, we are not holding our democracy with the respect it has. We expect the press to inform the people responsibly.
“This house is the house of Nigerians. It belongs to Nigerians and it deserves to be rehabilitated.”
