VP’S NEW RESIDENCE: JONATHAN BOWS TO SENATE

President Goodluck Jonathan has turned down the request of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) to spend additional N9billion on the new official residence of Vice-President Namadi Sambo,according to indications yesterday in Abuja.
The President upheld the observation of the Senator Smart Adeyemi-led Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory that the funds request was indefensible.
He also asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, to keep the memo on the variation of the project.
He said the Federal Executive Council would not consider such a memo and urged the FCDA to give Sambo a befitting official residence within the initial scope of the N7billion vote for it.
The original contract sum for the VP’s residence was N7billion, but a variation of N9billion was sought by FCDA bringing the total cost to N16billion.
A review by the Bureau for Public Procurement resulted in the reduction of the variation cost from N9billion to N7billion making N14billion.
The Senate Committee on FCT, however, said a N16billion or N14billion accommodation for the VP is indefensible in a country where many cannot afford three square meals per day.
Investigation revealed that the President took the decision at a Federal Executive Council meeting when Mohammed wanted to table the memo.
It was learnt that the President told cabinet members that he would stick to his administration’s desire to cut cost.
It was gathered that Jonathan’s position led to the new policy of the Federal Government stopping all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from forwarding any project variation and review beyond 15 per cent.
A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has rejected the FCDA’s request for additional N9billion for the VP’s residence. He said there is no way the government could afford about 120 per cent variation.
“The President also directed the FCT Minister to shelve plans to forward a memo to the Federal Executive Council on the N9bilion variation.
“Jonathan said the decision was not personal. He said the directive affects any project involving his office.
“So, the VP’s residence will be executed within the available budget.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “I think the variation informed the new 15 per cent variation policy on contracts.”
It could not be immediately ascertained if the project could still be executed with the budget limit or not.
Another source added: “We may have to reduce the scope of work or the infrastructural facilities at the residence.
“You know, the VP is a man of simple taste and he has no personal interest in the project. We can still get a befitting accommodation for any sitting VP.
The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had opposed additional N9billion expenditure on Vice President Namadi Sambo’s official residence
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, had said: “The National Assembly is not going to appropriate additional N9billion for the project, especially at a period in this country where people cannot eat three square meals. The N9billion is far more than the original cost of the project.
“In Nigeria, there are many people suffering. So we have to look at budgeting in relation to the needs of the people.”
Source: The Nation