The State House Management has commenced renovating and refurbishing of sections of the Presidential Villa, Abuja as the day for inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu draws nearer.
As of Friday (yesterday), it could be observed that the concrete perimeter fence encompassing the President’s office, official residence, the Council Chamber, press gallery, as well as other administrative offices were being overlaid with new white and green paints.
Similarly, it was gathered that new furniture were brought on Thursday to the green room adjoining the Council Chamber.
Recall that the management had carried out a routine upgrade of card readers and installed barricades in areas, which were once freeways.
Truth Live News gathered a Senior State House official who pleaded anonymity told Punch that the maintenance was part of the tasks carried out by the Presidential Transition Council chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
According to the official, “The changes and upgrades we are doing are part of broader maintenance works. Some are routine, while others, like the painting, are done when the Villa is to host a new occupant.
“These follow the directives of the transition committee, which the SGF is in charge of. The card readers have since been changed. Those are just routine maintenance done when the old ones have passed their active life.
“Repainting is required because, over the years, the State House wildlife accommodates monkeys that roam free and stain these white walls. The bats we have here also deposit their droppings on the walls.”
Asked for the total amount earmarked for the works, the official said, “We don’t go outside the budget allocated to the State House, but the transition committee is shouldering any special cost.”
The sum of N3.05bn was earmarked since 2016 for “maintenance services” at the State House. The sum covers maintenance of office furniture, office buildings and residential quarters, among others.