An investigation by THISDAY has revealed that most of the ministers swore in to the federal cabinet six months ago are yet to settle down in the country’s capital due to accommodation crisis.
The ministers are groaning because the N4 million approved by the president as their yearly accommodation allowance have not been able to rent any meaningful house in Abuja, THISDAY has learnt.
The N4 million, findings reveal, can only rent flats and not homes, and giving the need for security, those flats which have many other tenants in the building, are not secure or fit for purpose.
Usually, accommodation for ministers, special advisers and other political office holders is quickly resolved shortly after their swearing-in to enable them settle down to their official responsibilities.
But owing to the inadequacy of the funds approved for their accommodation by Buhari, some ministers have been forced to stay in dingy hotels or squat with friends and relatives, it was gathered.
According to a source in the presidency, “In a bid to make their case, all the ministers who had formed a committee on the issue of their accommodation met with Buhari last week Wednesday, but he rejected their request because his hands are tied by the Remuneration Act, even though he empathises with their situation.
“They were asking for N20 million per annum for their accommodation. But prior to last week’s meeting, several other options had been proposed, including buying an estate or the FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority) building one, but these were considered expensive and dropped.
“The final option was the request for N20 million per annum, because some ministers are squatting in Abuja and the situation is impacting on their jobs.”
The ministers are groaning because the N4 million approved by the president as their yearly accommodation allowance have not been able to rent any meaningful house in Abuja, THISDAY has learnt.
The N4 million, findings reveal, can only rent flats and not homes, and giving the need for security, those flats which have many other tenants in the building, are not secure or fit for purpose.
Usually, accommodation for ministers, special advisers and other political office holders is quickly resolved shortly after their swearing-in to enable them settle down to their official responsibilities.
But owing to the inadequacy of the funds approved for their accommodation by Buhari, some ministers have been forced to stay in dingy hotels or squat with friends and relatives, it was gathered.
According to a source in the presidency, “In a bid to make their case, all the ministers who had formed a committee on the issue of their accommodation met with Buhari last week Wednesday, but he rejected their request because his hands are tied by the Remuneration Act, even though he empathises with their situation.
“They were asking for N20 million per annum for their accommodation. But prior to last week’s meeting, several other options had been proposed, including buying an estate or the FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority) building one, but these were considered expensive and dropped.
“The final option was the request for N20 million per annum, because some ministers are squatting in Abuja and the situation is impacting on their jobs.”
