NASS presiding officers reject new N3b official residence

CITING security reasons and delay in the provision of infrastructure in the area, the Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, their deputies, Ike Ekweremadu and Emeka Ihedioha have rejected their new official residence being built by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, who gave the indication at the weekend, said consequently, the Admnistration had asked Julius Berger to halt the project sited at the Maitama Extension (renamed Goodlock Jonathan District) in the heart of the capital.

Specifically, the FCTA last year proposed N1.5 billion for the National Assembly's presiding officers' residence and N1 billion for the completion of the official residence of the Vice President.

Mohammed had during the 2012 budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on FCT said the cost of the project was N3.044 billion.

He disclosed that N324 million was appropriated in 2011 for the new residences, of which only N146 million had been expended, leaving a balance of N178 million.

tHE minister noted that for 2012, N1.5 billion was required for the project.

For the Vice President’s abode, the minister said N2.452 billion is required to complete the project, which was at 66. 8 per cent completion stage last year.