Kwara spends N1.7bn on Government House’s maintenance in 6 months

The Kwara State Government spent a total of N1,744,026,285 on the maintenance of the State Government House between January and June 2021.

The data obtained from Second Quarter (2021) Budget Implementation Performance Report, indicated that of the N1,744,670,014 total expenditure, the sum of N1,744,026,285 was spent on overhead and N643,729 expended on personnel.

On a quarter-by-quarter basis, the sum of N813,976,545 was spent between January and March, while N930,693,469 was spent between April and June.

The overhead and personnel costs spent between January and March are N813,646,364 and N330,181 respectively, while 313,548 and 930,379,921 respectively go for the second quarter.

The personnel cost is for the payment of salaries.

Recall that in the 2021 appropriation law, the government said N3,310,510,688 will be spent on government house – with personnel inclusive.

According to the budget, N529, 944 is expected to be spent on personnel costs while N3.3bn was earmarked for the overhead cost.

The percentage of the budget execution stands at 112 as at the end of June.

The Informant247 had earlier published a breakdown of the government house overhead which showed that the sum of N40 million would be spent on Internet Access Charges. Also, N200 Million was set aside for Publicity and Advertisements.

The items under the Government House expenses read, “Local Travel and Transport Others N20,000,000; International Travel and Transport N35,000,000; Electricity Charges N60,000,000; Satellite Broadcasting Access Charges N8,640,000.

“MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES – GENERAL N59,310,000; MAINTENANCE SERVICES – GENERAL N268,000,000; TRAINING – GENERAL N2,400,000.

“Security Expenses N1,962,530,744; Cleaning & Fumigation Services N10,000,000; FUEL AND LUBRICANT – GENERAL N160,000,000; Motor Vehicle Fuel Cost N80,000,000; Plant/Generator Fuel Cost N80,000,000 and MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES – GENERAL N534,100,000.”

The Kwara Government House is the official residence for the State Governor and his immediate family. However, nearly two years into his tenure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, unlike his predecessors, is yet to move into the edifice, but rather operates from the Presidential Lodge, a wing of the official complex.