President Muhammadu Buhari will spend N18.1 billion in 2016 to run the State House, Nigeria’s seat of power, an amount that is N11.5 billion more than what his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, spent in 2015.

The amount is also N5.9 billion more than what Mr. Jonathan spent in 2014 on the State House,  according to the details of the 2016 budget.

Mr. Buhari will, however, reduce the cost of feeding for the first and second families, when compared to what the Jonathan administration spent in previous years.

Mr. Buhari presented a N6.08 trillion budget to the National Assembly last week, promising more jobs, economic growth and a cut-down on frivolous spending. But details of the budget show that the State House will cumulatively receive N18.1 billion in 2016.

In 2014, Mr. Jonathan spent N12.2 billion on the State House, while in 2015, the government spent N6.6 billion for the presidential office, amid dwindling revenue occasioned by sliding oil prices.

The costs cover the State House Headquarters, the president’s office and the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. They also cover the budgets of the State House medical centre and the Lagos Liaison office.

Credit: PremiumTimes