State House spent N22bn on overhead

The State House management revealed on Tuesday that N22.62 billion was spent on overhead across seven cost centres.

The State House Medical Centre, the Lagos Liaison Office, the Office of the Chief of Staff, the State House Operations (President), the State House Operations (Vice President), and State House Headquarters are a few of these.

This was disclosed by Olufunso Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, when the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties visited the data facility at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for supervision.

This was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday under the heading "State House to Achieve Full Digitisation by November 2024, Says Permanent Secretary, as Reps Tour Data Centre," by Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations for the State House.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the State House had accomplished an astounding 99 percent implementation in overhead expenditures and 43 percent implementation of capital projects for 2024 during his presentation on the 2023–2024 budget implementation.

As of August 31, 2024, a total of N15.08 billion had been issued to us from the allocated amount; of this amount, N14.9 billion had already been spent this fiscal year, leaving an unpaid debt of N14.5 billion. This indicates an encouraging performance of 99 per cent,” he said.
Adebiyi stated that N51.3 billion had been allocated for capital expenditures in 2024; N22 billion had been spent, leaving N29.3 billion as a balance, or 43% of the total amount implemented.

The Committee members' approval of an enhanced budget allocation to the State House in the 2024 appropriation was applauded by the Permanent Secretary, especially in light of the significant demand from various cost centres during the difficult fiscal year.

"This has significantly improved our performance as a significant branch of government, particularly in the areas of employee welfare and capital projects like the refurbishment of the President's residence, Aguda House, the digitisation and computerisation of the State House, the building of an office complex, the replacement of operational vehicles, and other projects," he stated.

The budget for 2023 as well as the supplemental budget performances were also presented by the chief accounting officer.

He said that N1.65 billion was authorised for 2023 staff costs; N1.65 billion of that amount was actually spent, leaving N439,433.66 in excess.

In 2023, N8.29 billion was allocated for overhead costs, of which N8.27 billion were spent. This leaves an unpaid balance of N14.5 million, indicating a 99.82 percent budget execution rate.

The Permanent Secretary reported that, of the total capital expenditure budgeted for 2023, N11.2 billion was actually spent, or 98 percent of the total.

Adebiyi further stated that by November 2024, the State House will have fully digitised its activities.

He claimed that the successful completion of the computerisation and digitisation process will improve security, efficiency, and the smooth functioning of essential administrative tasks at the State House.
The visit was part of the legislators' legislative supervision to evaluate the performance of the State House's 2023 and 2024 budgets, and it was conducted by Hon. Kabir Tukura, the Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties.

Adebiyi also gave the MPs an update on the ongoing restorations at the former government seat, Dodan Barracks in Lagos.

It is anticipated that the modifications will be finished before the year ends, he said.

Adebiyi extended an invitation to the lawmakers for an in-person evaluation of the barracks. Money for the project, as well as other expenses at the Lagos Liaison Office, came from the 2023 supplemental budget and the 2024 budget, in that order.

During his speech, Tukura acknowledged the State House's dedication to modernising government services and fiscal restraint. He also expressed his delight with the ongoing digital transformation.

"We're still working on the 2024 budget, and so far, so good," Almost 98% of the releases have been made and used, which is extremely impressive.

"There aren't any spaces. The budget for 2023 is finished. We've heard the Permanent Secretary's answers to the queries posed by members. We firmly believe they are succeeding," he remarked