Bauchi Assembly Budgets N132M for Chairs, Six Scanners At N22Million Each, N15.5Million Per Printer

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has come under fire for budgeting N132 million for just 64 chairs and tables, alongside N132 million for six scanners – each costing N22 million.

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has come under intense scrutiny after allocating N132 million for the purchase of just 64 chairs and tables for lawmakers’ offices – an amount that translates to N1 million per chair or table.

In a further display of extravagant spending, the Assembly budgeted another N132 million for six document scanners, pricing each scanner at an eyebrow-raising N22 million. This is despite already allocating funds for printers and photocopiers, suggesting possible duplication of functions.

According to the state’s budget document, seven printers for principal officials will cost N15.5 million, while two photocopier machines for the Speaker and Clerk’s offices are estimated at N10 million.

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The document also shows that N440 million has been earmarked for the purchase of 20 vehicles for principal officers — averaging N22 million each. In addition, two 32-seater Toyota buses are budgeted at N118 million, placing the cost of each bus at N59 million.

Further allocations include N16.8 million for seven laptop computers (N2.4 million each) and N20 million for an additional 10 chairs and 10 tables under the Assembly Commission.

The spending spree comes amid alarming poverty levels in Bauchi State. According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, nearly 48% of households in the state lack access to clean drinking water.

Critics have questioned the priorities of the Assembly, especially as Governor Bala Mohammed recently announced that his administration is undertaking the renovation and upgrading of the Assembly complex at the cost of N7.8 billion.