At least 12 states have earmarked about N102bn in their 2025 budgets for upgrading official lodges and offices as well as acquisition of new Sport Utility Vehicles and other automobiles, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed.
The funds cover modernisation and tech upgrades of government lodges and VIP suites, alongside acquisition of vehicle fleets dominated by Toyota Prado SUVs, Jeep models, Hilux pickups, Camry, Corolla sedans, and other brands.
These allocations are captured under the capital expenditure details in the first-quarter budget performance reports of the states, accessed via their websites.
The affected states are Lagos, Adamawa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, Taraba, and Yobe.
Lagos topped the list, setting aside about N33bn for vehicle procurement and lodge upgrades.
Of this, N20.67bn went into acquiring backup vehicles for the state’s lawmakers.
Another N11.04bn was earmarked for rehabilitating the Assembly Complex, N150m for renovating the speaker’s residence and guest house, while N1.15bn covered upgrades of the state’s lodges in Alausa and Abuja.
Delta followed with a total of N14.91bn for vehicles and lodge-related projects.
A sum of N11.23bn went into procuring 50 Toyota SUVs, and 210 other vehicles for the Government House.
Additional vehicle votes included N451.91m for 10 official cars (assembly staff), N100m for vehicles under the SSG/ad-hoc bodies, N200m for 10 SUVs and five corollas for former governors and a former deputy, and N200m for five Hilux pickups.
The N2.73bn earmarked for lodge-renovation works was distributed across various locations.
In Asaba, N1.5bn was set aside for government quarters, N250m for Government House maintenance, N250m for office rehabilitation, N100m for the deputy governor’s lodge, and N100m for the former Speaker’s quarters.
A total of N205m was allocated for renovating the governor and deputy governor’s lodge and guest houses in Abuja.
This is as N100m was also budgeted for the state’s lodges in Warri and Lagos, while VIP guest house upkeep across unspecified locations received N220.18m.
Taraba allocated N9.57bn for executive lodge upgrade. In Jalingo, N2.4bn went into renovating the Government House and lodges, N700m for Twin Hall Lodge, and N100m for the Presidential Lodge Annex.
The deputy governor’s office and guest house got N1.17bn for construction and furnishing, while N3bn was set aside for the state’s lodges in Kakara, Wukari, Gembu, Serti, Takum, and Donga areas of the state.
Additional provisions included N800m for lodge 77 in Yola, N300m for the Taraba Motel VIP lodge, N400m for general upgrades, and N650m for renovating and furnishing the head of service’s guest house.
Similarly, Borno State budgeted N7.75bn, with N6.92bn going to vehicle procurement in which N5.4bn went to the Ministry of Finance for 50 vehicles, including Volkswagen wagons.
Other allocations included N1bn for two golf cars (Internal Security), N200m for one hilux and two corollas (Local Government), N100m for three hilux (health), N80m for five hilux (community development), N100m for five vans (information), and N35m for five hilux under the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.
Lodge-related works totaled N830.5m: N30.5m for constructing two new lodges, N200m for repairs on 20 office buildings, N100m for the assembly guest house, and N500m for 60 staff quarters within the Government House.
In Ondo State, N7.51bn, including N3.95bn for lawmakers’ vehicles was budgeted. Of this, N245m covered three jeeps for the speaker, deputy speaker, and majority leader; N2.16bn for 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs; N1.04bn for 13 corollas; N425m for five hilux pickups; and N80m for a Tacoma hilux.
For the executive, N2bn was earmarked for an armoured vehicle, a prado, and a GAC, while a Prado SUV for the commissioner for finance got N230m.
