Bauchi Assembly To Buy Six Scanners At N22Million Each, N15.5Million Per Printer, N1Million Per Chair

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has budgeted N132 million for the purchase of six scanners, a SaharaReporters review of the state's budget document has shown.

By this, it would mean that each scanner is expected to cost N22 million.

This development comes amid calls for prudence in government expenditure.

The scanners are meant for principal members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

Already, in the budget, the House of Assembly has also allocated funds for items such as printers and photocopier machines, signalling that the scanners may duplicate existing functions.

For instance, seven printers for principal officials are expected to cost N15.5 million, while photocopier machines for the offices of the Speaker and Clerk are expected to cost N10 million.

The State House of Assembly has a penchant for luxurious expenditures.

The House also allocated a staggering N132 million for the purchase of 64 chairs and tables for lawmakers' offices.

According to the document, 32 chairs and 32 tables are planned for purchase, meaning each chair or table will cost N1 million. This expenditure has raised concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, particularly when weighed against the pressing needs of the people of Bauchi State.

In addition to the furniture allocation, the budget document outlines other significant expenses for the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

Also, N440 million has been set aside for the purchase of 20 vehicles designated for principal officers of the Assembly. This translates to an average of N22 million per vehicle.

The purchase of two 32-seater Toyota buses is budgeted at N118 million, with each bus costing N59 million.

N16.8 million has been allocated for the procurement of seven laptop computers for principal officials, at an average cost of N2.4 million per laptop.

The Bauchi State House of Assembly Commission is also set to spend N20 million on the purchase of 10 chairs and 10 tables—an allocation that translates to N1 million per chair and N1 million per table.

While the Assembly's budget reflects luxury spending, Bauchi State continues to struggle with severe infrastructure deficits, particularly in basic amenities such as clean drinking water.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, 48 percent of households in Bauchi State lack access to clean drinking water. This alarming statistic highlights the dire living conditions faced by many residents.

N7.8Billion To Renovate Assembly Complex

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