The facelift at State House has ignited a storm, sparking outrage over what critics term misplaced priorities and extravagance.

With the country grappling with economic hardships, mounting debt, crumbling public hospitals, and dilapidated schools, questions have arisen about the government's commitment to its much-touted austerity measures.

The sleek new design of the House on the Hill, which strips away its colonial heritage for a modern flat-roof look, has further fueled criticism, with concerns about erasing historical identity.

Yet, despite the uproar, the government has remained tight-lipped about the cost of the renovations or their impact on taxpayers' already strained pockets.