President Bola Tinubu on Friday commissioned the vice president’s official quarters, 14 years after its groundbreaking in 2010.
The contract for the residence, located within the Three Arms Zone was first awarded in 2010 at the cost of N7 billion but was abandoned in 2015 during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and then Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello.
However, on assumption of office in August 2023, FCT minister, Nyesom Wike took steps to complete some abandoned projects and got President Tinubu’s nod in January 2024 to ensure its review and immediate completion, with its total cost now put at N21 billion due to years of abandonment.
Inaugurating the building, President Tinubu said he would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, rather than dwelling on the failures of past administrations.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president pledged to always ensure that the nation’s resources are prudently utilized.
He said; “As we commission this state of the art 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.
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“I hold a very strong opinion that abandoning projects after substantial expenditure have been incured, is inherently wasteful, and it is in the best interest of 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”.
Speaking in his personal capacity as vice president, Shettima who could not hide his joy noted that the completion of the project symbolizes the respect that the President has for the office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his readiness to provide the needed tools in laying a solid foundation for efficient Governance.
He said; “The Office of the Vice President is the most divided, is 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”.
Earlier, who explained that a conducive environment drives productivity, thanked President Tinubu for his continued commitment to the completion of abandoned projects.
“When we came on board on 21st of August, if you were here, it was bush. 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.
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“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 added.
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi, explained that the building was one of the projects that was abandoned, adding that the scope of work in the building involves 15 units of blocks, places 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 power house, water treatment and of course, garages for car parking for public and the VIPs. There are also provision for recreational facilities, “
The Vice President official residence is the eight FCT critical projects undertaken by Wike and so far inaugurated by President Tinubu to mark his one year in office.