The management of the State House on Tuesday revealed that its overhead expenditure for the current fiscal year amounted to N22.62bn, allocated across seven key cost centres. These include the State House Headquarters, State House Operations (for both the President and Vice President), the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Office of the Chief Security Officer to the President, the State House Medical Centre, and the Lagos Liaison Office.
This disclosure was made by the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Olufunso Adebiyi, during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties to the data centre located at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit was part of the committee’s ongoing assessment of the 2023 and 2024 budget implementation.
The information was further confirmed by the State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, in a statement issued on Tuesday titled “State House to Achieve Full Digitisation by November 2024, Says Permanent Secretary, as Reps Tour Data Centre.”
Adebiyi highlighted that the State House had already achieved an impressive 99% implementation rate for overhead expenditure and a 43% implementation rate for capital projects in 2024. He noted that out of the N22.62bn allocated, N15.08bn had been released, with N14.9bn already spent as of August 31, 2024.
“Of the appropriated amount, N14.9bn has so far been expended during the fiscal year, leaving an outstanding balance of N14.5bn. This represents an encouraging performance of 99 per cent in overhead expenditure,” Adebiyi said.
He also provided a breakdown of capital expenditure for 2024, stating that N51.3bn was appropriated, with N22bn spent to date, representing 43% implementation.
Adebiyi lauded the House Committee for approving increased budget allocations for 2024, stressing that it had bolstered the State House’s ability to undertake critical projects. These include the renovation of the residential quarters of the President, Aguda House, the computerisation and digitisation of the State House, construction of an office complex, and the replacement of operational vehicles.
The Permanent Secretary also provided a performance overview of the 2023 budget, noting that personnel costs were fully expended, while 99.82% of overhead and 98% of capital expenditures were utilised.
One of the significant goals for the State House is the completion of its digitisation project by November 2024. According to Adebiyi, this will enhance the efficiency, security, and seamless operation of administrative functions at the State House.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Kabir Tukura, commended the State House for its adherence to budgetary discipline and its focus on modernising government services. Tukura expressed satisfaction with the digital transformation efforts and the 2023 budget performance, noting that releases for the 2024 budget had been utilised at a commendable rate of 98%.
As part of the visit, Adebiyi also briefed lawmakers on the ongoing renovation of Dodan Barracks in Lagos, the former seat of government, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The visit reaffirmed the legislators’ confidence in the State House’s budget implementation, with Tukura stating, “The 2024 budget is still ongoing, and I would say, so far, so good. The releases have been made and utilised by almost 98 per cent, and that is quite commendable.”
