LAWMAKERS BUDGET FRESH N30BN FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RENOVATION
Written by Olakunle Oke on January 8, 2024
In a move raising eyebrows across the nation, the National Assembly has allocated an extra N30 billion for the ongoing renovation of its complex within the 2024 budget. This comes on top of the already inflated N344.85 billion budget for the legislature, itself a significant 74% increase from the initial proposal.
President Bola Tinubu signed the amended budget on January 1st, officially making it the highest allocation ever granted to the National Assembly. With this latest addition, the total renovation cost for the complex has ballooned to a staggering N60 billion.
Naturally, this decision has sparked public criticism and concerns about the government’s priorities. The hefty sum comes during a period of economic hardship for many Nigerians, leading some to question the necessity of such extravagant spending on the already well-appointed legislative building.
The justification for the additional N30 billion remains unclear, and the National Assembly has yet to offer a public explanation. This lack of transparency further fuels public discontent and amplifies calls for accountability and responsible use of public funds.
The news of the increased allocation is bound to reignite conversations about the perceived extravagance of Nigeria’s legislators and raise questions about their commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing the country. It remains to be seen how the public will react to this latest development and whether it will have any political ramifications for the National Assembly.
