The Federal Government has raised concern over the abandonment of a multi-billion-naira Government Printer project in Abuja, initiated during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known during an inspection of the long-abandoned facility, describing it as a glaring example of waste and institutional neglect.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister said the condition of the project contradicts the Federal Government’s commitment to prudence, accountability and effective management of public assets under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The project, whose foundation stone was laid in 2001, is said to be about 70 per cent completed. However, findings from the inspection revealed that several high-grade printing machines supplied as far back as 2007 are still sealed in their original crates more than a decade later.
Some of the equipment, imported from countries such as Germany and India, have reportedly become obsolete due to prolonged neglect.
“It is heart-wrenching to see this level of waste in the heart of Abuja,” Idris said.
“At a time when government is working hard to conserve resources and look inward, it is unacceptable that such a massive investment has been allowed to deteriorate year after year.”
The Government Printer serves as the official printing arm of the Federal Government, responsible for producing sensitive national documents, including the Federal Government Gazette and other key publications of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The minister noted that the prolonged inactivity of the facility has forced the government to outsource printing jobs that should ordinarily be handled internally, leading to avoidable expenditure.
The inspection further revealed that critical infrastructure at the site remains unused, including a 2,000 KVA generator installed in 2011 which has never been put into operation.
Idris was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, the Acting Director in charge of the facility and other senior officials of the ministry.
According to him, the visit was aimed at firsthand assessment, proper stock-taking and informed decision-making on the future of the project.
“We have come to see things for ourselves. We will return to make concrete recommendations to Mr President and the Federal Executive Council on the best way to revitalise this facility and put it to use for the benefit of Nigerians,” the minister said.
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