The 2024 Appropriation Bill is under scrutiny at the National Assembly, revealing a comprehensive breakdown of proposed expenditures for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and their respective aides at the Nigerian Presidential Villa.
Vanguard reports that the budget proposal earmarks a staggering sum of N15.961 billion for international and domestic travel if approved.
President Tinubu’s travel expenses stand out, totalling N7.630 billion, with a significant portion allocated for foreign trips amounting to N6.992 billion, while N638.535 million is designated for domestic travel.
Vice President Shettima’s proposed travel budget amounts to N1.847 billion, comprising N1.229 billion for foreign trips and N618.399 million for local travel. A substantial N6.484 billion is also allocated for Villa Headquarters’ international and local travels.
Within the overall budget, the Villa Headquarters receives a significant allocation of N40.616 billion. This includes provisions for routine maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations amounting to N9 billion and N4.5 billion allocated for Julius Berger liabilities related to maintenance from 2022/2023.
Further allocations encompass infrastructure development, with N3 billion dedicated to constructing offices for Special Advisers and Senior Special Advisers and an additional N3 billion set aside for the acquisition, renovation, rehabilitation, and furnishing of the State House Annex.
The budget also addresses transportation needs, allocating N6 billion for operational vehicles, an extra N4 billion specifically for operational vehicles and N2 billion for SUVs.
Other notable allocations include N5.128 billion for miscellaneous expenses, foodstuff, honorarium, refreshments, repair of fixed assets, and computer software acquisitions. President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima are set to spend N254 million and N348 million, respectively, on food supplies.
Miscellaneous expenses account for a substantial portion, with President Tinubu allocating N152.4 million for honorarium and sitting allowances, while the Vice President is allocated N67 million.
Additionally, N650 million is proposed for asset repairs and rehabilitation by the President, while N103 million is designated for computer software acquisitions by the Vice President. The Villa Headquarters estimates spending N980 million on computers and asset repairs within the stipulated period.
