Kogi Governor Ododo Spends N2.9billion on Remodelling Government House, N235million On State Hospitals

A SaharaReporters' review of the just released Kogi State third quarter 2024, budget performance report has shown that it spent N2.9billion for the Government House minor capital works and remodelling government house between January and September 2024.

This development is despite budgeting N1.062 billion for same in the 2024 fiscal budget.

The review shows that while the state budgeted N100 million for government house minor capital works, it has ended up spending N784 million within Nine months.

Also while the government budgeted N962million for remodeling government house structure, it has spent N2.2 billion within nine months. 

Review shows that based on the details published by the state government, it has continued to overshoot budgetary allocations.

For instance, N50 million was budgeted for renovation of Speakers’, honourable members residential quarters, within nine months however N58.7 million was spent . 

Renovation of honourable speaker and deputy speakers lodge stood at a budgeted amount of N50 million , however N52 million was spent within nine months.

Maintenance of the Secretary to the State Government’s official residence and landscaping stood at a budget of N10 million, however within nine months N13.8 million was spent.

Construction of Mosque and Chapel in the government house was budgeted at N25 million, however the state spent N86.4 million within nine months.

No amount was budgeted for government house projects, however N13 million was spent within nine months. 

This development comes amid calls for prudence in the management of government financial resources, which has been stated to be otherwise poorly managed.

While the state government has spent monies on its own needs such as remodelling government house, it spent less on projects of public concerns.

Only N235.7 million was spent on rehabilitation/repairs of hospitals and health centres, N415 million on repairs/rehabilitation of water facilities. 

Only N327 million was spent on purchase of health/medical equipment , only N139.4 million was spent on provision/construction of health centres/hospitals.

The prioritisation of government house projects is despite the fact that 87% of households in Kogi lack access to sanitary facilities. 61% also lack access to clean drinking water.

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