VICE-PRESIDENT Namadi Sambo, on Monday, dissociated himself from the controversy surrounding the proposed construction of a new residence for the vice-president, saying that it has nothing to do with him.
He explained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Umar Sani, in Abuja that the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were merely implementing the provision of the Abuja Master Plan by pressing ahead with the project.
Noting that his attention had been drawn to the “unnecessary controversies the building of the permanent residence of the vice-president is generating in the media,” the vice-president stressed that he had taken stock of the issues and decided to clarify them with a view to putting the to rest.
According to him, “Aguda House, the current temporary residence of the vice president was designated in the Abuja Master plan as a presidential Guest House and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, which is saddled with the responsibility of providing accommodation for deserving government officials, decided to ensure that it implements the master plan by locating the permanent residence of the vice-president in its present position and build a befitting accommodation for any Nigerian vice-president.
“It should be known that the concept and choice of a residential accommodation was purely by the professionals in the FCT administration and neither has he ever interfered with the budgetary requirements nor the cost associated with the constructions.
“It should interest members of the public to note that in the FCT 2012 appropriation, not a single Kobo was included in the budget for the residence.
“It should, therefore, be understood and appreciated that the vice-president has nothing to do with the construction of the new residence in question, as it is not his personal property but the residence of any Nigerian vice president. He should, therefore not be connected with the expenditure of the construction,” the statement said.
it would recalled that the National Assembly has recently queried the amount appropriated in the 2013 budget for the implementation of the project.
Tribune
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