Senators and Representatives face criticism for planning to spend over N40 billion on purchasing vehicles. The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives are set to acquire 107 units of the 2023 model Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model Toyota Prado. The purchase is separate from the official vehicles for the Senate President, Speaker of the House, Deputy Senate President, and Deputy Speaker of the House. The Senate Committee on Services will oversee the procurement and delivery of the vehicles.
According to a report by The SUN, the planned purchase is different from the official vehicles expected to be purchased for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass; Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The Senate Committee on Services saddled with the responsibility of purchasing vehicles for lawmakers, will handle the negotiations and take delivery of them, the report stated.
Senate President, Akpabio, had, during the week, constituted the Committee on Senate Services, headed by Kogi West senator, Sunday Karimi.
Though the Committee is expected to work with the management of the National Assembly, the purchase is the sole responsibility of the Senate.
The Senate Committee on Services is also expected to handle the purchase of two bulletproof vehicles for Akpabio and two for his deputy, Barau.
When contacted, the chairperson, House Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, told Saturday Sun that the preoccupation of the House at the moment is the issue of Committees.
“We are still concerned with committees. The issue of procurement of vehicles has not come up yet,” Bukar Ibrahim stated.
Nigerians have kicked gainst the planned purchase, saying that such sum of money is too much when there are many people suffering in the country.
Corleon wrote, “SUV’s is their probs when people can’t even afford a meal…… they all nice and giving palliatives when they fvckn need your votes…….some fvckrs are busy fighting and killing for these fvckers whilst their kids are flying private jets, someone different could have at least tried but they brought tribalism to confuse and control US…..Nigeria is a Scam, wish it never happened to me.”
Emmanuel Jacob wrote, “This is the reason why they will do anything to win elections. When you see them hustle for your votes, is not because they want to initiate any meaningful change. They just want to continue with their “wealth without enterprise”.”
Ropz_1472 wrote, “Some said Tinubu removed subsidy to save money! Now what even make you all think Nigeria 🇳🇬 lack funds ? Nigeria 🇳🇬 have the money to subsidize fuel so we can buy as cheap as N50 PMS . Subsidy removal wasn’t for the good of the masses but for politicians, to have enough money to loot ..”
Jay Scotch also disagreed, saying “Yet, government want to disburse 8k monthly to the poor. I too like Naija government. They have the interest of the people at heart”
Dyno said, “okes On You If You Think a Supernatura Power or Force will come to Save Nigeria. Until there are Punishment/Consequences for B.S…… Nothing will Change. This is not Rocket Science. When u Catch Thief, Release Am….U think Other Thieves will Desist?? Lol.”
Rosy Throne, “Empowering the youth is never a thing while pple elected there are spending billions, are they serving the pple or they’re serving themselves?? Dear Nigeria politicians”