On Friday, June 7, Nigeria’s number one man, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the official residence of the Vice President, which has suffered poor funding since 2010.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to concentrate on delivering on the promises made to Nigerians, rather than dwell on the failures of past Administrations.
Commissioning the building, President Tinubu pledged to always ensure that the nation’s resources are prudently utilized.
The president believed that abandoning projects after spending a substantial amount of money, was equal to wasting taxpayers’ money without completing such projects.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian government to the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance.
Tinubu used the occasion to assure Nigerians that the government will continue to prioritise their well-being as well as build a nation they can all be proud of.
Represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetttima said: “As we commission this state-of-the-heart edifice, the official residence of the Vice President of Nigeria, we are fulfilling a long-standing commitment and unwavering dedication to accountability, transparency and efficient utilization of resources for the betterment of our Nation,
“I hold a very strong opinion that abandoning projects after substantial expenditure have been incurred, is inherently wasteful, and it is in the best interest of the government and the Public to see them to completion,
“Rather than dwell on past shortcomings, we have chosen to seize this opportunity to demonstrate our resolve to confront obstacles head-on and deliver on the promises made to the Nigerian people in line with our Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu said
Tinubu also thanked the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration for making the completion of the VP’s official residence a reality within his one year in office.
Speaking in his own capacity, Kashim Shettima who could not hide his joy noted that the completion of the project symbolizes the respect that Mr. President has for the office of Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his readiness to provide the needed tools in laying a solid foundation for efficient Governance.
“The Office of the Vice President is the most derided, the most sensitive of positions, but we have to give it to Mr. President (Tinubu), he treats me with absolute decorum, respect, and inclusivity. We have seen how Vice Presidents were treated in the past; this present dispensation is a different ball game.” Shettima said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike disclosed that the Vice President’s official residence was awarded in 2010, fourteen years ago at the cost of N7bn, abandoned in 2015, but later reviewed by Tinubu’s administration in January 2024, and today it is completed with world-class facilities.
According to Wike, the environment drives productivity, hence the FCT Administration with the approval of Mr. President committed the required resources to complete the project.
“When we came on board 21st of August 2023, if you were here, it was bush. And I went to Mr. President and said, how can we allow the Vice President’s residence to get this bad. Look at, criminals have taken over the place, we are talking about fighting criminals and Mr. President said, go and make sure that the project is completed,
“Mr. President has come within a year, he made it a reality. May God continue to bless Bola Ahmed Tinubu for knowing that if you don’t stay in a good environment, you can’t put in your best.
“Environment affects productivity, the environment affects efficiency by the time you go in here and see what is provided, I am sure, Mr. Vice President will be more encouraged to do more work than where he stays now,” Wike said
The FCT Minister also used the occasion to caution the company in charge of street lights at night, to wake up to their responsibility, noting that the FCTA will not tolerate seeing the city in gross darkness.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Ahmad Hadi, who noted that the building was one of the projects that was abandoned, explained that the scope of work in the building involves 15 units of blocks, a place of worship- mosque and chapel, standby power house, water treatment among others.
“The main building, a provision for an office for the second lady and the residence for the ADC and CSO, places of worship; a mosque and a chapel, as well as other domestic staff quarters. There are also utility facilities for standby powerhouses, water treatment, and of course, garages for car parking for the public and the VIPs. There are also provisions for recreational facilities.”
The new residence of the Vice President located adjacent to the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, has an office for the Wife of the Vice President, a mosque, chapel, and recreational facilities among others.
The vice president’s official residence is the 8th FCT critical project inaugurated by President Tinubu to mark his one year in office.