The State House management yesterday disclosed that its overhead expenditure amounted to N22.62billion, spread across seven cost centres.
These include the State House Headquarters, State House Operations (President), State House Operations (Vice President), Office of the Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Security Officer to the President, State House Medical Centre, and Lagos Liaison Office.
The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Olufunso Adebiyi, revealed this during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties to the data centre located in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, announced this in a statement issued yesterday titled ‘State House to Achieve Full Digitisation by November 2024, Says Permanent Secretary, as Reps Tour Data Centre.’
During his presentation on the 2023/2024 budget implementation, the Permanent Secretary highlighted that the State House had achieved 43 per cent implementation of capital projects for 2024 and an impressive 99 per cent implementation in overhead expenditure.
“Out of this appropriated amount, so far, as of 31 August 2024, a total sum of N15.08bn has been released to us; and of the said released amount, a total of N14.9bn has so far been expended during the fiscal year, leaving an outstanding balance of N14.5bn. This represents an encouraging performance of 99 per cent,” he said.
On capital expenditure, Adebiyi noted that N51.3bn was appropriated for 2024, with N22bn spent, leaving a balance of N29.3bn, representing 43 per cent implementation.
The Permanent Secretary commended the Committee members for approving an increased budget allocation to the State House in the 2024 appropriation, particularly given the considerable demand from various cost centres during the challenging fiscal year.
“This has gone a long way in enhancing our performance as an important arm of government, especially with regards to the welfare of staff and various capital projects, such as the renovation of the residential quarters of the President, Aguda House, computerisation and digitalisation of the State House, construction of an office complex, replacement of operational vehicles, and others,” he said.
The chief accounting officer further presented the 2023 budget and supplementary budget performances.
He disclosed that N1.65bn was approved for personnel costs in 2023, of which N1.65bn was spent, leaving a balance of N439,433.66.
For overhead expenditure in 2023, N8.29bn was appropriated, and N8.27bn was expended, leaving an outstanding balance of N14.5m, marking a 99.82 per cent budget implementation.
Regarding total capital expenditure for 2023, the Permanent Secretary said N11.2bn was approved, with N10.9bn spent, representing an overall performance of 98 per cent.
Adebiyi also mentioned that the State House is set to achieve full digitisation of its operations by November 2024.
According to him, the completion of the computerisation and digitisation process would enhance efficiency, security, and the seamless operation of critical administrative functions at the State House.
The visit, led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Kabir Tukura, was part of the legislators’ statutory oversight to assess the performance of the 2023 and 2024 budgets of the State House.
Adebiyi also briefed the lawmakers on the ongoing renovations at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, the former seat of government.
He noted that the renovations are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Adebiyi invited the legislators for an on-the-spot assessment of the barracks, with funds for the project and others at the Lagos Liaison Office sourced from the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget respectively.
In his remarks, Tukura expressed satisfaction with the ongoing digital transformation and commended the State House for its commitment to budgetary discipline and modernising government services.
“The 2024 budget is still ongoing, and I would say, so far, so good. The releases have been made and utilised by almost 98 per cent, and that is quite commendable.
“There are no gaps. The 2023 budget has been completed. Members have asked questions, and we have heard the responses from the Permanent Secretary. We are convinced they are doing well,” he said.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction of property at various Local Government Council Headquarters in the State.
Governor Fubara inaugurated the seven-member commission at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.
The commission that has one month to conclude its assignment, has Hon. Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri as Chairman; Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the Secretary; and Barrister Uzor Ikenga as the Counsel.
Other members are Barrister Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Sir Samuel Egbe; and Venerable Alex Usifor.
The Governor said the recent attacks and burning of Local Government Councils’ Secretariats on the 7th October, 2024, seemed like a repeat of what was experienced in 2014, months to the General Elections of 2015 when courts were set ablaze, residences bombed and people killed, leading to the closure of courts in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara said his administration will not look away while ill-guided youths and sponsored political thugs turn the State into a theatre of violence without being made to pay for such crimes against the State.
He said, “So, I have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, most importantly, no matter the personalities involved, we must bring them to book.
“So, this assignment is a very important. It is an assignment that, if it is not done rightly, would give the enemies of this State opportunity to continue.
“And if we are right, it is going to be the end of further destruction of public property in the State. I know it is going to be very tasking. I can assure you that there will be threats, but you have to be strong,” he advised.
Governor Fubara stated that it is long overdue to inaugurate the commission of inquiry owing to incidences that have been witnessed since his administration came on board.
He explained that sometime in the past, about October, 2023, a similar incidence was experienced, and because he had thought that everybody was of the same political family, he decided to let go.
He added that the persistence of the violence and differences between people who once had worked together have seemingly destroyed chances of settling any misgivings internally.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “It has become very clear that rather than getting close to the path of peace, this State is gradually turning into a kingdom where law and order is no longer the order of the day. And we cannot fold our hands and allow such thing to happen.
“On the 5th of October, 2024, about four days ago, we had an election in this State. Before the election, we also heard from a lot of quarters, songs of war, (and) threats but we never took them seriously because we believed that a local government election is a prerogative of the State Government. It has nothing to do with anybody anywhere that is outside the confinement of our State.
“And for that reason, we believed strongly that whatever it is, we could manage it to produce the purpose of that election.”
Governor Fubara further said: “But, it is very unfortunate that after the election, even while the election was going on, several things happened, which we managed, thinking it was going to end there.
“The day after the election, there were also more threats from people, and we also thought it was just a normal threat, believing that it was not going to be out of hand but it did.”
Governor Fubara told members of the commission that God has not made any mistake to find them suitable for the assignment given to them.
He urged them to work with the mind of actualising the purpose of the assignment, and noted that history will not forget this responsibility given to them.
Governor Fubara outlined the terms of reference of the assignment given, saying that they must: “Determine the underlying causes of the violence and identify the individuals or groups reasonable for the attacks on some Local Government Council Headquarters and the harm caused to citizens.
“Evaluate the extent of damage to property, infrastructure, and human lives and estimate the financial losses incurred.
“Examine whether the violence was politically motivated, and if so, identify the key players and their roles in instigating the violence.
“Assess the effectiveness of the security agencies’ response to the violence and identify areas for improvement.
“Investigate the actions of individuals and groups involved in the violence in the face of the relevant laws, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, etc.
“Advise on adequate compensation and support for victims and their families, as well as measures to prevent future occurrences.
“Make recommendations on long-term strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future, including recommendations for policy reforms, community engagement, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
“Recommend appropriate sanctions for individuals and groups found culpable.
“Make other relevant recommendations in light of its findings which the commission may consider appropriate,” and also mandated the commission to submit its report within “one month”.
Governor Fubara said the task will not be easy on them but added that they must brace up and do what is right for the good of Rivers State.

The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has proven himself a true democrat, who, against all odds, has pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.
He has done so, Governor Mohammed said, by being proactive with an open mind, deploying his democratic instincts with strategies to carefully deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.
Senator Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, made the remark shortly after he witnessed the swearing-in of 23 democratically elected Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed that Rivers State is a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councillors are of different political parties.
Governor Mohammed bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and as governors.
However, Senator Mohammed said Governor Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still an avowed member of the PDP despite the fact that other parties constitute the body of elected officers at the local government level.
He said, “Of course, he is still with us. He’s still a PDP man, and I have to come, on behalf of the Governors, to show solidarity to him for this very proactive democratic instincts that he developed, which is a new manifestation in the political arena in Nigeria; where he had to intensify, and he has to develop strategy to be able to deliver governance, irrespective of party allegiance or party consideration.”
Governor Mohammed stated further: “He didn’t have a structure of the party in the State, for certain reasons, and he had to go out to make sure he allows other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum.
“And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very creative and I am very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this.
“Again, he has established himself as a Governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”
Governor Mohammed pointed to why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting Governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.
Which is why, he insisted, the effrontery to undermine the office and person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State is largely not acceptable.
He added, “A Governor is the Chief Executive. He can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian State is run by governors at the sub-national level.
“Even the Federal Government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the States and Local Governments, and that is why what he did today is very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party will lose.
“And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win, and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support.
“Because he is not doing it with any strings or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern,” he explained.
Governor Mohammed recalled that as a person in 2019, he encountered a similar situation that Governor Fubara was being confronted with, but braced up and was able to navigate through it safely.
The Chairman PDPGF said: “I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a State where only nine PDP person were members in the State Assembly and he (Fubara) is still doing that.
“So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.”
Responding to how soon the PDP will resolve its festering crisis and achieve desired unity, Governor Mohammed assured that it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.
Governor Mohammed emphasised: “And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. All the governors are with him, and certainly, we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.
“Reconciliation with somebody who they had started with; the former Governor of this State and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a must because, certainly, they have come a long way. We didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.
“And certainly, the governors are with the Governor (Fubara) because this is our own tradition and fraternity; at the same time, out of our own political history as a party that has history of governance.
“We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother, and also our colleague,” he added.