The recent approval of the sum of N2.2 billion for
the construction of a new banquet hall at the Presidential Villa, Abuja has not
been received well by most Nigerians. Yesterday, during the meeting of the
Federal Executive Council, the large sum was approved for the construction of a
new banquet hall.
According to Vanguard, the approval is part of the
final set of N19.4 billion contracts for this year covering road construction,
rail transportation and infrastructural development in the Federal Capital
Territory.
The new banquet hall would have a capacity of 150
seats. There is already an existing hall in the Villa where national events are
held. However, the proposed 150-seater hall will have walk ways, security post,
hall conveniences, technical room and press briefing room.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator
Bala Muhammed, while defending the approval said that the council did so
because smaller countries had befitting banquet halls in their seats of power.
He added that the contract for the construction was awarded to Julius Berger, a
company that is already in charge of services in the Presidential Villa. Read more after the cut...
“The second project approved by council is the building
of a 150-seater Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa.
“We noticed that it (existing hall) is
inconveniencing; it is not in tandem with what is outside the country. Even
smaller countries have better Banquet Halls near their Presidential residences.
Of course, part of the things we are going to provide there is a 150-seater
(hall) with all the facilities that will cover the walk ways, security, hall
conveniences, technical room and press briefing room that are more and more
enhanced so that national broadcast can be done from there.
“The contract was awarded in the sum of N2.2billion
to Julius Berger because they are more familiar with the terrain in the
Presidential Villa and for security reasons.”
This large amount of money approved for the
construction of a 150-seater Banquet Hall sounds quite exorbitant. And the CBN
governor is calling for the sack of 50% civil servants… there are lot of things
that could be done in Nigeria with N2.2billion.
No comments:
Post a Comment