FG budgets N16.6million as rent for VP's residence

The Federal Government has earmarked a curious N16.64million as rent payable on the official residence of Vice President Namadi Sambo, although the president and his deputy are not known to pay rents for their official residences.

Details of overhead expenditures under the VP’s office as contained in the 2012 fiscal appropriation presented to the National Assembly last week indicates that the presidency would spend another N230.133million on the acquisition, upgrading and furnishing of the VP’s official guest house.

Over N1.06billion, comprising N500million for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the same VP lounge, and another N560million for the construction of official quarters for the VP’s director of protocol (DOP), aide de camp (ADC) and security chief, was provided for in the 2011 budget for the same Aguda house.

Another sum of N116.733million has been provided in this year’s budget for installation of universal power system (UPS) facilities at the VP’s residence, while about N108million has been budgeted for the provision of communication equipment at the VP’s guest house along with the presidential villa and Dodan Barracks, Marina.

Other expenses to be incurred by the VP during the year include N20.80million for plant/generator fuel cost, and N10.40million for maintenance of plants/generators, as against N54.33million and N15.216million respectively by the president.

Also, the Presidency is to spend about N203.88million for the construction/provision of electricity at the villa during the year, in addition to about N85.21million electricity charges and another N168.72million provided in the budget for fuel and general lubricants.

Extension of power supply to the state house central store is to gulp N35.9million; extension of UPS power source to presidential guest house No. 7 at the Villa for N57.43million; overhauling of two power house generator sets for N127.5million as well as the rehabilitation of villa transformer sub-station for N101.67million.

About N957.098million has equally been set aside to take care of miscellaneous expenses, including refreshment and meals, N293.696million; honorarium and sitting allowance, N173.75million; publicity and advertisements, N77.56million; medical expenses, N84.3million; postages and courier services, N14.06million as well as welfare packages, N285.14million.

The presidency is expected to pay for its subscription to professional bodies with about N7.092million provided in the budget for the purpose, while about N21.485million will cater for its sporting activities