The State House management recently announced that the renovation of Dodan Barracks, located in Lagos and serving as the historical seat of the Federal Government, is on track for completion by December. This update was part of disclosures made during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Special Duties to the data center in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit, chaired by Hon. Kabir Tukura, was aimed at evaluating the budget performances for 2023 and 2024. Alongside the renovation details, Permanent Secretary Olufunso Adebiyi provided insights into the State House’s overhead expenditures, which currently total N22.62 billion and are allocated across seven key cost centers.
During his presentation, Adebiyi highlighted that the State House has achieved significant progress in budget implementation this year. For 2024, there has been a 99 percent implementation of overhead expenditures, with N15.08 billion released and about N14.9 billion already spent. However, capital project implementation stands at 43 percent, with N51.3 billion appropriated and N22 billion already expended. Adebiyi expressed gratitude to the Committee for approving an increased budget allocation amid fiscal challenges, emphasizing that this support has been vital for the welfare of staff and for crucial capital projects, which include the renovation of Aguda House, computerization efforts, and the improvement of operational efficiencies.
In discussing the financials of previous years, Adebiyi provided a detailed breakdown of the 2023 budget. He noted that for personnel costs, the entire amount of N1.65 billion was spent, while overhead expenditures had a minuscule residual balance, marking an impressive 99.82 percent implementation rate. The capital expenditure for 2023 also performed commendably, with 98 percent utilized from the approved N11.2 billion. Such fiscal discipline and responsible management were critical focal points during the Committee’s review.
The Permanent Secretary affirmed the aim for State House to achieve comprehensive digitization by November 2024, which is set to enhance operational efficiency and security across its various administrative functions. This initiative for computerization and digital transformation aims to facilitate seamless operations and improve overall management within the State House. The insights provided during the Committee’s visit demonstrated the commitment to modernizing governmental functions through technology.
Following Adebiyi’s presentation, Chairman Tukura expressed satisfaction with the digital transformation efforts underway at the State House, as well as the high level of budgetary discipline showcased in both the 2023 and 2024 fiscal allocations. His remarks acknowledged the effective use of released funds and the absence of gaps in the financial reporting of the State House, affirming the successful completion of the 2023 budget and the promising progress towards achieving the 2024 objectives.
In conclusion, the ongoing renovation of Dodan Barracks, paired with the progress on budget implementation and digitalization efforts, underscores the State House’s commitment to enhancing its operations and reinforcing governmental efficiency. The engagements between the State House officials and the House of Representatives’ Committee illustrate a collaborative approach to governance, ensuring transparency in budgetary allocations and the prioritization of critical infrastructure projects. These initiatives reflect a forward-thinking vision aimed at accommodating the evolving needs of government processes and improving service delivery to citizens.
