Senators yesterday rejected a proposal by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to spend N4 billion on building the First Ladies Mission office complex in Abuja this year.
The proposal is contained in the FCTA’s N253 billion budget for 2013, which came up for second reading in the Senate yesterday.
The African First Ladies Peace Mission, a non-governmental organisation, is headed by First Lady Patience Jonathan who was re-elected as its president in July last year.
Senators who spoke
during a debate on the budget described spending the amount on the First Ladies Mission building as scandalous.
Deputy Senate Leader Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who queried the significance of the First Lady’s office itself, said the proposal was ridiculous in a country yearning for development projects.
Senator Babajide Omoworare (ACN, Osun East) said it would be embarrassing for the Senate to approve the money as the office of the First Lady is not known to the 1999 Constitution.
“The N4 billion proposed for the construction of the first ladies mission office is scandalous. It is a misplacement of priority. Even in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, there is nothing like first ladies mission building. This money can be used for projects that could impact positively on the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Senator Babafemi Ojudu (ACN, Ekiti Central) said the Senate could incur the wrath of the public if it appropriates the money for the construction of the mission building.
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