Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has voiced strong criticism regarding the recent renovation of the Senate chamber, expressing dissatisfaction with various aspects of the refurbishment.
Despite a staggering expenditure of N42 billion on the project, Ndume highlighted several deficiencies during a plenary session on Tuesday.
Ndume lamented that despite the hefty investment, the quality of renovation was subpar. He emphasized that the chamber, which serves as a pivotal space for legislative proceedings, fell short of expectations. Ndume remarked, “This is not a chamber, it is like a conference room.”
His discontent extended to the seating arrangement, with Ndume pointing out the discomfort experienced by senators. “The sitting row… requires correction. If you want to stand up, you will have to use tactics or strategy,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Ndume underscored the absence of essential electronic devices for voting, a crucial component for efficient legislative processes. “There is no voting device here… The facilities are not there,” he stated.
In addition to the lack of e-voting equipment, Ndume criticized the inadequate audio system within the chamber. He noted that the speakers failed to amplify the voices of lawmakers effectively, leading to echoes during discussions. “This is a serious observation… the audio is supposed to be very clear,” Ndume remarked.
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Addressing the issue, Senate President Godswill Akpabio attributed the shortcomings to previous Senate leadership and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which managed the renovation contract. Akpabio acknowledged the dissatisfaction expressed by Ndume and emphasized the need to channel complaints to the FCDA.
Akpabio further highlighted the importance of granting autonomy to the National Assembly, suggesting that after 25 years, it should be able to own property independently.
In response to the grievances raised by Ndume, Akpabio assured that efforts would be made to address the deficiencies in the renovated chamber. However, he shifted responsibility to the entities involved in overseeing the renovation project.
