This was seen by SaharaReporters as contained in the state 2024 approved Appropriation Bills.
The Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has budgeted a total sum of N850million for both local and international trips and the sum of N700million for the purchase of Prado jeeps and luxurious cars for the members of the State of House of Assembly in 2024.
This was seen by SaharaReporters as contained in the state 2024 approved Appropriation Bills.
In page 92 of the approved budget, the State Government House earmarked N400,000,000.00 for Local Travel & Transport and N450,000,000.00 for International Travel & Transport.
Also, in page 170 of the same document, the government inserted the sum of N400million for the purchase of parado jeeps for the presiding officer of the State House of Assembly and the sum of N300million to buy luxurious cars for other members.
The sum of N100million was also budgeted to buy office furniture for the state lawmakers.
These budgetary provisions were approved amid lamentations of economic hardships and inflation from the citizens.
The Kwara State Government had also approved N17.8 billion for the rehabilitation of Kwara Hotel after public backlash over the abandonment of the facility.
It was learnt that the project was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company Limited.
The project aims to transform it into a five-star hospitality facility at N17.8 billion, with a projected duration of 24 month
Meanwhile, Mustapha Mashood, an All Progressive Congress, (APC) Chieftain and former Governorship Aspirant had earlier accused the governor of lavishing N17.8 billion awarded for the rehabilitation of the State Hotel.
Mashood said the project is a waste of of scarce resources and the money should be diverted to a project that would solve the immediate needs of the people of the state.