Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In the recently revealed 2024 Appropriation Bill, a staggering N15.961 billion is set aside for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and their respective aides, covering both international and domestic travel expenses.
President Tinubu’s travel budget stands at N7.630 billion, with N6.992 billion dedicated to foreign journeys and N638.535 million for local travels. Similarly, Vice President Shettima plans to allocate N1.847 billion, with N1.229 billion for foreign trips and N618.399 million for local excursions.
Truth Live News gathered that the Villa Headquarters was granted a substantial budget of N6.484 billion for international and local travels, comprising N6.282 billion for global expeditions, N60.981 million for local travel training, and N140.640 million for other domestic journeys.
Beyond travel, the 2024 federal budget outlined significant allocations for diverse projects:
– Routine Maintenance: N9 billion for the annual upkeep of mechanical and electrical installations within the Villa.
– Office Construction: N3 billion earmarked for constructing offices for Special Advisers and Senior Special Advisers.
– Annex Renovation: N3 billion provisioned for acquiring, renovating, rehabilitating, and furnishing the State House Annex.
– Vehicle Procurement: N6 billion allotted for operational vehicles, including N4 billion for general operational vehicles and N2 billion for SUVs.
– Infrastructure Projects: N45.259 million for the rehabilitation of the Animal Enclosure, and N130.076 million for the Villa Ranch and construction of wildlife conservation.
– Miscellaneous Expenditure: N5.128 billion budgeted for foodstuff, honorarium, refreshments, and the repair of fixed assets. This includes N254 million for President Tinubu’s food expenses and N348 million for Vice President Shettima’s catering supplies.
– Computer Software and Repairs: N650 million proposed for the President’s acquisition of computer software and N103 million earmarked for the Vice President’s software acquisitions. The Villa Headquarters intends to spend N980 million on computers and asset repairs.
This comprehensive budget provides insight into the financial priorities of the Presidential Villa for the upcoming year, emphasizing official functions, infrastructure enhancements, and necessary expenditures but also reveals a penchant for ostentation and a global marauding.