Spend N37b On Roads, Not Renovation, Falana Tells FG – TheNigerialawyer

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has told the Federal
Government that the N37 billion set aside for the renovation of the
National Assembly complex should be spent on public roads that have
become death traps.

In a statement on Sunday in Lagos, the popular lawyer disagreed
with Senate President Ahmad Lawan’s claim, last Monday, that there
had been no major renovation of the National Assembly building in
the last 20 years.

He said the Goodluck Jonathan administration spent N40.2 billion
on the renovation of the complex six years ago.

The statement added: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved
N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex.
The amount, which is included in the 2020 budget, is, however, not
part of the N128 billion allocated for the National Assembly for
next year.

“In justifying the cost of the renovation, Senate President
Ahmad Lawan, told journalists in Abuja last Monday that there has
been no major renovation of the National Assembly building for 20
years and many parts of the property had become dilapidated.

“But contrary to the highly misleading explanation of the Senate
President, we have confirmed that the Goodluck Jonathan
administration had spent N40.2 billion on the renovation of the
National Assembly complex in 2013.

“In view of the fact that it has been confirmed that the complex
was renovated for N40 billion six years ago, the N37 billion set
aside for another renovation should be spent on public roads that
have become death traps.”