Aso Villa Allocates N201 Million for Animal Welfare, Tinubu and Shettima’s N10.13 Billion Budget for Meals and Travel.
In the scrutiny of the 2024 budget proposal, it has been revealed that a significant portion is allocated for various expenditures, including animal welfare and the expenses of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The total budget has an aggregate revenue projection of N18.32 trillion with a deficit of N9.18 trillion (3.88 percent of GDP).
The specific allocation for “refreshment & meal and foodstuff for the offices of Tinubu and Shettima” amounts to N660.5 million. Out of this, N287.8 million is designated for the President’s office, and N372.6 million for the Vice President’s office. The breakdown further reveals that President Tinubu’s refreshments and meals will cost N33.6 million, with an additional N254.2 million allocated for foodstuff/catering materials supplies. Vice President Shettima’s expenses include N35 million for refreshments/meals and N337.5 million for foodstuff/catering materials supplies.
Interestingly, the budget also includes a provision of N201.4 million for the “wildlife conservation” of animals at Aso Rock’s zoo. Additionally, the renovation of the President and Vice President’s quarters at the State House is budgeted at N800 million, with N500 million allocated for Tinubu’s residence and N300 million for Shettima’s.
It is noteworthy that in the 2023 supplementary budget, N13.5 billion was approved for the renovation of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima’s official residences in Lagos and Abuja. The breakdown included N4 billion for the renovation of the President’s residential quarters, N2.5 billion for Aguda House, N4 billion for Dodan Barracks, and N3 billion for the official quarters of the Vice President in Lagos.
In the 2024 budget proposal, honorarium and sitting allowance for the President and Vice President are set at N152.3 million and N67.3 million, respectively. Additionally, N37.9 million is allocated for powering generators in the State House, while N260.8 million is earmarked for electricity charges.
