Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called on Nigerians to stop blaming the National Assembly Management for the leaking roof in the Complex, as seen in a very embarrassing viral video on Tuesday, after a heavy rainfall in Abuja, .
Following the heavy downpour, it was discovered that the roof of the White House of the Complex, which houses the Red and Green Chambers, was leaking, flooding parts of the lobby.
Reacting to the to Media reports and backlash on the incident, the Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, raising a point of order, said that the reports breached the privilege of the Lawmakers, and were done to denigrate their integrity.
He clarified that the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, is in charge of the maintenance of the Complex, and not the Lawmakers, as believed by the public.
Senator Abdullahi further noted that the N37 billion earmarked for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex in the 2020 budget, was slashed to N9 billion in the revised budget.
He stated that up till now, nothing has been done.
Speaking, the Senate President said that the roof leakage confirmed the position of the Lawmakers that the building is due for renovation.
His words: “The fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation, and vindication of the position the National Assembly took initially.
“Everyone knows that this place is overdue for rehabilitation. We went to see Mr. President, and he was gracious, and he asked us to meet with FCTA, the owners of the building.
“Myself, the Speaker, late Chief of Staff, and Minister of Finance, met to look for money for the rehabilitation of the National Assembly.
“When the N37 billion was approved, it was not a National Assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget.
“If this place leaks, we are not holding our democracy with the respect it has. We expect the Press to inform the people responsibly.
“This house is the house of Nigerians. It belongs to Nigerians, and it deserves to be rehabilitated.”