Audit Shows Bauchi Governor Spent N16 Billion on Government House Upgrade, Exceeding N6 Billion Budget

The Bauchi State government, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, spent N16 billion on renovating the Government House in 2023, according to an audit report for the year.

Breakdown of the Spending

The original contract for the renovation was awarded to M/S Architectronix Limited for N6.6 billion.

However, changes to the contract increased the cost by N9.5 billion, bringing the total to N16.1 billion. These changes, known as contract variations, involve altering the original terms of a deal.

The report also found that N46.2 million was allocated to buy two project vehicles, but only one was purchased.

The remaining N23.1 million was not accounted for, raising questions about how the funds were managed.

Conflicting Reports

The audit findings are different from what was reported in the government’s official 2023 budget performance document.

According to the budget, N6 billion was approved and fully spent on the renovation and expansion of the Government House.

However, the audit report shows that N16 billion was actually spent—an extra N10 billion not mentioned in the budget report.

This difference has raised concerns about the accuracy of the government’s financial reporting.

The N16 billion spent on the Government House represents nearly 50% of the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2023, which was N34.2 billion.

Many residents are questioning why such a large amount of money was spent on one project when the state has other urgent needs.

The audit report has led to calls for more accountability in how public funds are managed. Critics say the government needs to explain why the spending exceeded the budget and where the extra N10 billion came from.

While some people may see the renovation as necessary, many argue that the money could have been better spent on improving roads, schools, healthcare, and other essential services.

Residents are now waiting for the government to address the discrepancies and provide a full explanation of how the funds were used.