Sambo denies role in huge cost of VP’s residence

Posted by admin Latest Politics Tuesday, December 25th, 2012

VICE President Namadi Sambo Monday washed its hand off the controversy over the huge amount being spent on the official residence of the Vice President.

Sambo, in a statement by his spokesman, Umar Sani, said the concept and choice of a residential accommodation was purely by the professionals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration.

He stated that he had never “interfered with the budgetary requirements or cost associated with the construction.”

Nigerians, he said, should appreciate that “the Vice President has nothing to do with the construction of the new residence in question, as it is not his personal property but the residence of any Nigerian Vice President.”

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to unnecessary controversies the building of the permanent residence of the Vice-President is generating in the media. Having taken stock of issues raised overtime, we find it necessary to clarify and lay them to rest.

“Aguda House, the current temporary residence of the Vice President was designated in the Abuja Master Plan as a Presidential Guest House and the FCT administration which is saddled with the responsibility of providing accommodation to deserving government officials, decided to ensure that it implements its master plan by locating the permanent residence of the Vice President to its present position and building a befitting accommodation to any Nigerian Vice President.

“It should be known that the concept and choice of a residential accommodation was purely by the professionals in the FCT administration and neither has he ever interfered with the budgetary requirements or cost associated with the constructions. It should interest members of the public to note that in the FCT 2012 appropriation, not a single kobo was included in the budget for the residence.”

The statement continued: “It should therefore be carefully understood and appreciated that the Vice President has nothing to do with the construction of the new residence in question, as it is not his personal property but the residence of any Nigerian Vice President. He should therefore not be connected with the expenditure of the construction.”

-Guardianwp_posts