• Saturday, June 15, 2024
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Presidency says New VP’s residence will be put to other use

Yemi-Osinbajo

The Presidency on Sunday said at the Federal Government will decide the best use for the  New building being constructed for the Vice President’s official residence, which is  expected to gulp N7billion.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Dino Melaye, recently disclosed that only the security post, also known as gateman’s house, in the building will gulp N250million.

However, a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande said it was important to clarify the misgivings trailing the project as it does not benefit this administration. According to him the 14 building project which was initiated by the previous administration is already 85 percent complete.

“For the umpteenth time, we like to clarify that the proposed plan of the immediate past administration to build a new official residence for the occupant of the Office of the Vice President, including the controversial gatehouse preceded this administration.

“The project which started in 2010, was initiated and funded by the immediate past administration,  but had never featured in the two budget proposals of the Buhari administration: neither in the 2016 nor the 2017 spending plans.

“Any suggestion therefore that this project benefits our administration or that it reflects our spending style or preferences is not only misleading but blatantly false.

“Besides, the incumbent Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said publicly that he considers Aguda House, which he currently occupies, a befitting official residence for the Vice President and sufficient for his needs.

“While the project  is now about 85% complete, the Federal Government, in the circumstances, will decide at the appropriate time what is the best use for the 14 buildings already on the project site” the statement read.