Popular Nigerian R&B singer and politician, Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W, has questioned the allocation of N37 Billion for the renovation of National Assembly Complex.
The 2020 budget which was signed by President Buhari on Wednesday, in which the said amount was allotted, is however not part of the N128 billion allocated for the National Assembly for next year.
Ahmad Lawan, the Senate president, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that the money is instead part of the 2020 budget of the Federal Capital Development Administration.
Mr Ahmad Lawan, explained that there has been no major renovation of the National Assembly building for 20 years and many parts of the property had become dilapidated.
“We met the president and (it was) related the condition of the complex,” he said.
“The president responded and said he was going to renovate the complex. The phase one renovation will commence – the chambers and committee rooms in the white house.
“N37 billion was sourced and was given. It was put under the FCT, not National Assembly. All we required is to have the complex renovated.
“When we are through with phase 1, we will go to phase 2. It is not under the control of the National Assembly. The complex is a national asset and is for the FCDA to take care,” he said.
However, despite the explanation by the Senate president, the 37 billion allocated for renovation has raised eyebrows from Nigerians, with the latest punch coming from Banky W.
Banky W wrote on his Twitter page on Thursday: “Our “leaders” in the National Assembly have NO conscience. At a time like this, when Education & Healthcare in Nigeria are in a state of Emergency.. they earmarked N37Billion to renovate their office building. Shame on us for letting them get away with it. This is SICK. At a time like this, when Education & Healthcare in Nigeria are in a state of Emergency.. they earmarked N37Billion to renovate their office building. Shame on us for letting them get away with it. This is SICK.”
