Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has disclosed that a total of N22 billion was spent on the construction of the vice president’s residence.
The minister stated this at the inauguration of the new official residence of the vice president on Thursday in Abuja.
Wike revealed that the contract was initially awarded in 2010, at a cost of N7 billion.
According to him, “The contract was later abandoned in 2015, and in its determination to complete the project; the current leadership of the FCT in January 2024 sought for and obtained approval for a review of the contract to N22 billion, leading to its completion 14 years after commencement.
Wike, who expressed delight in meeting up with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu, said he was excited to present a completed edifice to his boss.
President Bola Tinubu in his remarks reaffirmed his commitment to the Nigerian government to the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to prioritise their well-being as well as build a nation they can all be proud.
According to him, “I want to use this opportunity to reaffirm my administration’s unwavering commitment to the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.
“We will continue to prioritise the needs of the Nigerian people above all ills and work tirelessly to build a nation that we can all be proud of.”
President Tinubu added that the completion of the official residence of the vice president represents the government’s respect for those in leadership positions.
“As we commission this state-of-the-art edifice as the official residence of the vice president, we are fulfilling a long-standing commitment and reaffirming our unwavering dedication to accountability, transparency and the efficient utilisation of resources for the betterment of our nation.
“This is a reflection of our commitment to providing our leaders with the tools and resources they need to effectively discharge their duties and serve the Nigerian people with integrity and dedication.
The completion of the vice president’s residence is not just about building a physical structure, it is about laying a foundation for a more efficient and effective government. It is also about creating an environment where our leaders can focus on the important work of governance without distraction and inconvenience,” the president stated.
Tinubu singled out the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for praise, having completed nine landmark projects, inaugurated in the last one week.
“Once again we are here to commission another landmark project executed by the one and only Nyesom Wike. I am truly delighted to be here today for the commissioning of the official residence of the vice president. This is the 9th in the series of projects completed by the FCT administration under the dynamic and focused leadership of Wike.
“The actions of the FCT Minister and his dedication to duty are indeed remarkable and he stands as a shining example of what a public officer should be,” said the president.
“This event stands as a testament to this administration’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and urban renewal, a cornerstone of our vision for a more prosperous and much more connected Nigeria. When I assumed office one year ago, my administration set forth an ambitious agenda to transform our nation’s infrastructural landscape.
The new residence of the vice president, located adjacent to the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, has an office for the wife of the vice president, a mosque, chapel and recreational facilities among other facilities.
