N1.2B for Lodge in Lagos is a mere proposal – A’Ibom Govt

Charles Udoh

The proposed Governor’s lodge in Lagos will cost nothing near the falsely speculated N9.1bn naira currently being peddled in a section of the media. Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Charles Udoh disclosed this during a special television programme on AKBC.

Mr. Udoh dismissed as mischief and misinformation those spreading that the project will gulp N9.1billion.
According to him, the first budgetary allocation for the project in the 2017 budget was N500million, while N700million is contained in the recent supplementary budget.

The commissioner noted that even at that, it still remains a mere proposal pending the availability of the money, adding that government will look at it on its merit and the reality on ground at that moment.

However justified the need to have the lodge noting that it is a branding strategy for the state where investors and major players in the Nigerian business community will be meeting the discuss important and confidential policy decisions of interest to Akwa Ibom people.

Asked why the old office could not be maintained, Mr. Udoh gave security reasons as high rising commercial buildings are springing up in the area, raising security concerns and other environmental hazards have relegated the serenity of the area to the lowest ebb.

He said most other high profile government residences in the area have since relocated, and warned people against being misled by agents of mischief who can never see any good thing in the noble intentions of the Gov Udom Emmanuel –led administration.

He also said the former building located along Bishop Abotade Cole Street in Victoria Island, was an eyesore, with both structural defect and aged dilapidated facilities that were beyond rehabilitation.

The last time any governor visited there was more than ten years ago, and the immediate past administration had already concluded plans to get a befitting Governor’s lodge in Ikoyi for Akwa Ibom state.

He said people should know that the proposed building is not a personal property of the incumbent governor, and will be used by his successors when he leaves office in 2023.
The state’s spokesperson said the people who had queried the building of a new lodge in Uyo by the immediate past administration, are the same people who boast now that their state has the best governor’s lodge in the country.