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Despite the unbearable economic harship in the country and the looming indefinite strike action, President Bola Tinubu on Friday, June 7, 2024, inaugurated the vice-president’s official residence built at the cost of N21 billion after 14 years of initial award.
Mr Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed the unwavering dedication of his administration to the principles of accountability, transparency, and efficient utilisation of resources for the betterment of the country.
He stated that providing suitable residence for the vice-president was not merely a matter of convenience but a symbol of respect for the office and the individuals who occupy it.
Mr Tinubu added that the completion of the project was a testimony to the respect and affection that the president has for the vice president.
Mr Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed the unwavering dedication of his administration to the principles of accountability, transparency, and efficient utilisation of resources for the betterment of the country.
He stated that providing suitable residence for the vice-president was not merely a matter of convenience but a symbol of respect for the office and the individuals who occupy it.
Mr Tinubu added that the completion of the project was a testimony to the respect and affection that the president has for the vice president.
”President Bola Tinubu deserves special commendations. We have seen how vice presidents were treated in the past. With the present dispensation, it is a different ball game,”.
he said.
Stating that the project faced delays and abandonment by the past administration, Mr Tinubu said,
” However, rather than dwell on past shortcomings, we have chosen to take this opportunity to demonstrate our resolve to confront obstacles head-on.
” As we commission this state-of-the-art edifice, the official residence of the vice-president, we are fulfilling a long-standing commitment and reaffirming our unwavering dedication to accountability, transparency, and efficient utilisation of resources for the betterment of our nation.”
The president emphasised that it was wasteful to abandon projects after expenditures had been incurred.
Mr Tinubu thanked the FCT Administration for taking up the responsibility and feeling duty-bound to complete the project to avoid the wastage of taxpayers’ money.
Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the project was awarded in 2010 at the cost of N7 billion and was abandoned in 2015.
” It was in January this year (2024) that we had to review the project to N21 billion, from N7 billion, which means an additional N14 billion.
” For a vice-president’s residence to take 14 good years and then Mr President, within a year, made it a reality; this is what is called ‘renewed hope,’” he said.
Mr Wike recalled that when he came on board in August 2023, the project site was a bush.
The minister thanked the president for supporting the completion of the project and ensuring the vice president lived in a comfortable environment.
It's however worthy of note that this inauguration of the N21 billion building comes as Nigerians continue to lament the economic hardship occasioned by Mr Tinubu’s policies.
Since Mr Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, announcing immediate fuel subsidy removal and floating the naira, transportation and food costs have maintained astronomic upward trends while the naira has continued its decline against the dollar.
Several market surveys have shown that food prices have spiked by over 100 per cent while the national minimum wage has remained the same.
It's strange how in the midst of all this aggravated hardship and suffering for most Nigerians, certain experts continue laud Mr Tinubu’s policies as bold moves.
While Nigerians continue to criticise Mr Tinubu’s government for economic hardship, wasteful spending of tax payers' money, and shocking priorities like changing the national anthem, funding Hajj pilgrimage, and much more.