Buhari disburses N10bn for rehabilitation of State House Clinic, Senate Committee satisfied with repairs  

President Muhammadu Buhari has disbursed about N10 billion for the rehabilitation of the Presidential Wing of the State House Clinic, Abuja, even while he travels to London, the United Kingdom (UK) for medical vacation. The Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, in a statement highlighted that N416.6 million budgeted for the project in 2020 and N1.06 billion in 2021, have been paid in full. The Permanent Secretary of the State House also indicated that of the N20.8 billion budgeted for the project in 2022, the Federal Government has already paid N8.5 billion.

Curiously, the rehabilitation has been going on for over three years, sucking public funds without completion.

However, the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, on oversight inspection, expressed satisfaction at the progress of work on the Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Clinic, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, scheduled for completion in December 2022.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Danjuma La’ah, during an oversight inspection visit of the Committee acknowledged that the progress of the work is fantastic. He commended the contractors, Julius Berger Plc, and the management of State House, supervised by the Permanent Secretary, Tijanni Umar, for complying with the time schedule for the completion of the project.

Senator Danjuma La’ah: “For the remarkable steps so far reached on the project site, I am highly impressed.

”We will take it as a point of duty to keep a tab on this project until it is completed.” Senator La’ah noted that on assumption of the leadership of the Committee, he promised that the Senate would ensure that the clinic is properly equipped to provide world class medical services to principal officers in the Presidential Villa.

The Permanent Secretary, State House, emphasized that in line with due process, President Muhammadu Buhari had granted approval to engage Messers Julius Berger Plc to review and develop the concept design and proceed with the construction of the project as a turnkey contract.

The Permanent Secretary stated: “accordingly, on 29th July 2021, the company was instructed to proceed with the review of the concept design and other site works simultaneously, based on which a roadmap/timeline for the construction of the facility was developed.

“In furtherance to this, the site was handed over to M/s JBN on 23rd August 2021 which proceeded to undertake necessary and extensive site survey and other ancillary works paving the way for the ground breaking and foundation laying that was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President on 1st November, 2021.

“It is instructive to note that the schedule of payment plan which is linked with the work plan that was negotiated with the company in line with the advice of the  Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning outlining milestones at which the client is expected to effect regular periodic payment for work done in order to sustain the momentum of work and to deliver/commission the project by 31st December, 2022 is yet to be fully aligned.”

Members of the Senate Committee involved in the inspection oversight include Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP- Plateau North), Mpigi Barinada (PDP-Rivers South-East), Tofowomo Nicholas (PDP-Ondo South), Nmachi Ama (PDP-Ebonyi South), Gershon Basset (PDP-Cross River South), Bulus Amos (APC-Gombe South), Dimka Ayuba (APC-Plateau Central), Frank Ibezim (APC-Imo North APC) and Halliru Jika (APC-Bauchi Central).

The regional manager of Julius Berger Nigeria, Oliver Berger, took the lawmakers through the inspection of the projects, promising that the project which is situated on an area of 2800sqm will be completed on schedule.