Contrary to reports in some quarters that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government earmarked the sum of N1.7 billion for feeding in the Presidential Villa, a copy of the relevant section of the 2016 Appropriation Bill obtained by The Herald showed that only about N114.97 million was earmarked.
Recall that rumour had pervaded the media space, especially the social media, that Buhari planned to surpass the amount spent by the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as many as four times.
A comparative analysis of the last administration’s total expenditure on “feeding” which included items like Food Stuff / Catering Materials Supplies, Cooking Gas/Fuel Cost, Refreshment & Meals, and Purchase Of canteen / Kitchen Equipment, in the last two years showed it allocated more funds than the new administration.
While the 2014 figure showed N542.86 million and the 2015 N526.17 million under former President Jonathan, the 2016 under Buhari is slightly lower, at N445.49 million.