A’Ibom Govt Budgets N14.7b to Renovate Governor’s Lodge, Buy SUVs For State Lawmakers
The Akwa Ibom State government has budgeted a total sum of N14.7billion for the repair of the governor, the deputy governor’s lodge as well as to purchase Toyota Prado for the members of the State House of Assembly.
Nigerian civic tech organisation, BudgIT in a report said this, while breaking it down that the sum of N1billion was budgeted to rehabilitate external surfaces of Akwa Ibom governor’s office annex building.
Also, the sum of N9.3billion was budgeted for the repair of the governors’ lodge and deputy deputy’s lodge.
Another N1billion was budgeted to buy Toyota prados for honorable members and N1.5billion to buy medical equipment for government house.
The state spent another sum N1.95billion to buying “back up” vehicles for honourable members.
This development is despite stated economic challenges facing the country and states especially.
According to the multidimensional poverty index data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), there are 2.83 million poor persons in Akwa-Ibom.
Also, 70% of households in Akwa Ibom are stated as lacking access to sanitary facilities in the state.
It also comes as the total budget for transport ministry in the state stands at N12.3 billion, only N245.5 million was budgeted for the state universal basic education board capital expenditure, that of the state health insurance agency stood at N274.6million.
This development is also as primary health centres in the state are reported to be in a dilapidated condition with workers struggling to keep them afloat.