Buhari Seeks NASS’ Nod To Construct Presidential Wing In State House Clinic

Defending the proposed project with N1. 3 billion in the 2021 appropriation bill to kick start physical development of the state of the art wing at SHC inclusive of furnishing and equipping to appropriate standard to serve the needs of the President, his vice and other principals in the presidency, Umar expressed concern that the proposed amount was too inadequate to deliver the crucial project and sought adequate augmentation to be spread over two budget cycles: 2021 and 2022.

He lamented that the proposed construction of the State House Clinic’s Presidential Wing which commenced with the development of the project brief in 2014 could not proceed as envisioned due to funding challenges.

Umar said: “The State House 2021 budget proposal of N19,008,740,032 is higher than the 2020 appropriation of N10,491,191,595 by N8,517,548,437 (81.19%), noting that the increase in the capital expenditure is mainly for headquarters; State House Clinic and Lagos Liaison Office.”

According to him, the major items of expenditure in the State House under capital included the sum of N4. 8 billion proposed for year 2021 for routine maintenance of Villa facilities in optimal working condition while another N398 million was proposed for the settlement of liabilities incurred as a result of inadequate appropriation over the years.

“Closely following this is the dire and urgent need to provide for the total overhaul of the Presidential Villa telecommunications infrastructure estimated at N300 million which has been provided in the budget proposal, Umar stated.

Another key capital expenditure, he said, is the total of N699.9 million proposed under State House headquarters and the Chief Security Officer to the President for phased replacement of the fleet of vehicles in the President Ground Fleet and those in the Conference Coordinating Unit (CCU) fleet.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the the budget defense meeting with the Senate Committee on Federal Character, Umar debunked the insinuation that the SHC was in comatose despite huge yearly appropriations.

On whether the principals in the Villa and their families will still be travelling abroad for medical checks when the project is completed, the permanent secretary retorted: “We have appealed to the (senate) committee to intervene and assist us with the Presidential Wing of State House Clinic which is national strategic importance to all of us. I don’t have to breakdown everything and you know what that means.”

In his brief remarks, the chairman of the senate committee on federal character, Senator Danjuma Lar, said the law makers will pay monthly oversight visit to the project for all the money released for it and the senate gave only two year for the projects.