The N37 billion earmarked for the renovation of phase one of the National Assembly which comprises of the two chambers, the dome, committee rooms and offices within the White House, has sent shivers down the spines of many Nigerians.
Instead of sinking such huge sum in one building that is still very much alive, some Nigerians wonder why a country described as the poverty headquarters of the world, where its citizens cannot afford three square meals in a day could be so careless with money.
The money, some school of thought pointed out, can generate job opportunities for Nigerian citizens and remove hunger and poverty from many homes.
Many Nigerians who read or heard about the amount earmarked for the renovation, asked if the money is meant to construct another National Assembly from its foundation, noting that the sum, if judiciously used, could build many schools, hospitals and many other things needed for the wellbeing of this nation.
A critical analysis of the money shows that it is more than the budgets of some ministries, departments and agencies.
For a country with the problems of power, infrastructural development, good roads, food security, housing deficit among others, to have earmarked such a huge amount of money for the renovation of a building built with just N7 billion in 1999, shows that Nigeria is drifting towards a dark tunnel.
Ajaokuta Steel, which many experts said would create so many job opportunities for Nigerians, has been laying waste over the years because of lack of funds to put finishing touches to the project.
Analysts have also taken a critical look at the policy statement and decision of government some times and concluded that many of the problems facing the country are misplaced priorities.
The educational sector in the country, which is supposed to be given priority in the scheme of things, is begging for serious attention and most of the infrastructures are decayed and in some cases, children receive lectures in the open, while some schools cannot boast of good buildings, seats or tables.
A critical analysis of the budget shows that the increase of the 2020 budget by N264 billion, increased some subheads. President Muhammadu Buhari had presented a budget of N10.33 to the National Assembly, which was increased by the lawmakers to N10.59 trillion.
However, the increase in the budget has resulted in the hike of many sub heads in the aspects of the budget that related to the National Assembly.
Apart from the statutory allocation which increased from N125 billion to N128 billion, the N10 billion earlier proposed for some renovation work at the National Assembly was increased to N37 billion. The renovation is the responsibility of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Some Nigerians have raised concern over the increase and are telling the government to be sensitive to the plight of the people, as the lopsided attitude of the government towards the people is fuelling insecurity, hatred and bottled up anger that can explode at any given time.
The explanation of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, that the complex, built about 20 years ago, was now rather dilapidated, didn’t go down well with many Nigerians.
Lawan had said that “when we resumed office (at) the National Assembly Complex, we noticed that many parts of the National Assembly complex were dilapidated.
“We convened a meeting involving the management of the National Assembly, the Federal Capital Development Authority, Speaker of the House of Representatives and I. We had an exhaustive engagement. The Speaker and I later met with Mr. President and we told him the situation of the complex.
“Since the takeover of the complex, there was never, ever, any major rehabilitation or renovation, 20 years ago. Mr. President responded by telling us that he was going to renovate the National Assembly. We went back to continue the engagement with the National Assembly management and the FCDA.
“Eventually, we took what is required to renovate the phase one of the project. This includes the two chambers, the dome and other committee rooms and offices within the White House.
“N37bn was sourced and was approved and put under the FCT, not under the National Assembly.”
Lawan had said that the project would be executed by the FCDA because the National Assembly is a national monument, adding that “all we require is to have the National Assembly complex renovated, including the reconfiguration of the two chambers and of the Press Centre.
“We have the opportunity, after 20 years, to embark on the renovation of phase one (of the) building of the National Assembly. When we are through with the phase one, we will go to phase two.”
Reacting to this development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had described the N37 billion claimed to be for the renovation of the National Assembly complex as an unpardonable rip-off plot and a last straw of alleged corruption that pervades the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration.
The party said it is indefensible for the Buhari Presidency to propose a whooping N37 billion for renovation work on the National Assembly complex, which was built at the cost of N7 billion.
The main opposition party in the country, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan had said, “our party insists that the over 500 percent padding of the original construction cost is completely insupportable even with the prevailing costs and exchange rate regime, a development that has already spurred public outcry and apprehensions of plots to divert the fund for political interests of certain APC leaders.
“The over bloated renovation figure is therefore not only sacrilegious but also further confirms that the APC-led administration is overtly corrupt and only out to steal, drain and divert our national resources for selfish purposes of certain individuals in the present administration.”
Aside the PDP, other Nigerians have also  condemned the whopping sum budgeted for the renovation of National Assembly complex, insisting that if government is sensitive and sincere with the people, with the level of poverty and insecurity in the land, such would not have been contemplated.
The N37 billion, which is embedded in the budget of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has already been approved by President Buhari.
Will the cry and the condemnation trailing the budgeted sum change the narrative and will the federal government listen to the voice and opinion of the people and use the money for other pressing needs?
Like the PDP said, the burden of explanation is on Mr. President’s doorsteps.