The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has given an indication that the totality of the money required to renovate the National Assembly may be more than the N37bn in the budget.
Many Nigerians have been criticising the proposed renovation, saying it should not be a priority while others said the amount was too much.
But, briefing the press in Abuja, Lawan noted that what is to be done first is ‘pahse one’, after which the government would do the second phase.
Saying President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the project, Lawan added,
“We have the opportunity, after 20 years, to embark on the renovation of phase one (of the) building of the National Assembly. When we are through with the phase one, we will go to phase two.”
He also noted that the projected would be handled by the Federal Capital Development Authority.
He said, “When we resumed office (at) the National Assembly Complex, we noticed that many parts of the National Assembly complex were dilapidated.
“We convened a meeting involving the management of the National Assembly, the Federal Capital Development Authority, Speaker of the House of Representatives and I.
“We had an exhaustive engagement. The Speaker and I later met with Mr. President and we told him the situation of the complex.
“Since the takeover of the complex, there was never, ever, any major rehabilitation or renovation, 20 years ago.
“Mr. President responded by telling us that he was going to renovate the National Assembly.
“We went back to continue the engagement with the National Assembly management and the FCDA.
“Eventually, we took what is required to renovate the phase one of the project.
“This includes the two chambers, the dome and other committee rooms and offices within the White House.
“N37bn was sourced and was approved and put under the FCT, not under the National Assembly.”
“All we require is to have the National Assembly complex renovated, including the reconfiguration of the two chambers and of the Press Centre.
“The National Assembly complex is a national asset being managed by the FCDA.”
