14 Safar, 1431,A.H (29 January. 2010) Vol.3: No 89

Welcome to The Pointer Express, The Views Expressed in this newspaper are not necesserily the official view of the Islamic movement in Nigeria.

N7bn Residence for the Vice President

By Our Abuja correspondent

The contract for the VP's residence has already been awarded to a German construction company, Julius Berger Plc and it has 20 months to complete the project.

Prof. Dora Akunyili Minister of Information and Communications, and Senator Adamu Aliero , Federal Capital Territory, have made feisty effort to defend the lavish and extravagant expenditure by simply arguing that the present official abode of the Vice President is no longer convenient for him.

While the majority of the Nigerian citizens are living in squalid and very unhygienic environment, the duo of Akunyili and Aliero further added that it was part of government's quest to build a “befitting residence for the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The way and manner through which the contract was awarded is equally shrouded in mystery as the contract was also not subjected to any bidding; contrary to the Public Procurement Act. Hiding under the gab of security concern, the ministers said it was simply needless.

Some members of public interviewed by this reporter expressed their disappointment with a government that claims to be respecting the rule of law to be involved in a blatant disregard of not only the the public procurement act but equally approved such huge amount as the cost of the construction of one residence for one out of over 150 million citizens.

Others equally opined that at this material time that the government has woefully failed to deliver on its promise of providing stable electricity supply, and petroleum product scarcity, to name but a few, it will be so insensitive to the flight of the masses that it decided to insult their collective intelligence. Even though some sections of the public were of the opinion that with the dwindling and unstable government's revenue, the timing is simply bad, others insisted that under whatever favourable financial times the amount is a reflection of how insensitive the so called leaders are, to the flight of common man in this country.

“What we are witnessing now is a situation in which the so called leaders are much more preoccupied with their personal comfort than the real art and science of governance” some one added.

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