The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the prolonged neglect of a multi-billion-naira Government Printer project initiated during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The alarm was raised following an inspection visit to the long-abandoned Government Printer facility in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Describing the situation as “heart-wrenching,” the minister said the state of the facility represents a glaring example of waste, poor asset management and institutional neglect, which contradicts the Federal Government’s commitment to prudence, accountability and efficient utilisation of public resources under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, the project—whose foundation stone was laid in 2001—is about 70 per cent completed, yet has remained idle for years.
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 after delivery. Some of the equipment, imported from countries such as Germany and India, are now reportedly obsolete due to prolonged abandonment.
“It is heart-wrenching to see this level of waste in the heart of Abuja,” Idris lamented.
“At a time when the 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.”
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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 compelled the government to outsource printing jobs that should ordinarily be handled internally, leading to avoidable and recurring expenditure.
Further findings from the inspection showed that vital infrastructure at the site has remained unused, including a 2,000 KVA generator installed in 2011 that has never been put into operation.
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Idris was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary, the Acting Director overseeing the facility, and other senior officials of the ministry.
He explained that the inspection was undertaken to allow the ministry’s leadership to assess the situation firsthand, conduct a comprehensive stock-taking exercise and make informed decisions on the future of the facility.
“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 assured.
