And contrary to media reports that the incumbent administration has spent millions of naira in the project, Osinbajo said that no amount was allocated to it in both the 2016 and 2017 Budgets by the Federal Government.
His clarification was contained in a statement issued by his office on Sunday night.
Osinbajo said that the immediate past administration initiated the plan to build a new official residence for the occupant of the Office of the Vice President, including the controversial gatehouse.
He explained that “the project, which started in 2010, was initiated and funded by the immediate past administration, but had never featured in the two budget proposals of the Muhammadu Buhari administration or the 2016 and 2017 spending plans.”
“Any suggestion therefore that this project benefits our administration or that it reflects our spending style or preferences is not only misleading but blatantly false.
“Besides, the incumbent Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has said publicly that he considers Aguda House, which he currently occupies, a befitting official residence for the Vice President and sufficient for his needs.
“While the project is now about 85 percent complete, the Federal Government, in the circumstances, will decide at the appropriate time what is the best use for the 14 buildings already on the project site.”
Recently, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, had declared that the Upper House will not allow any contractor to defraud Nigeria by constructing the gatehouse of the Vice President’s house at the cost of N250 million.
Senator Melaye vowed to probe the over N250 million allegedly inflated contracts for the Vice President’s gatehouse.
He said that investigation is ongoing and the Senate will ensure that government was not being raped and shortchanged over the contract.
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