The social media is already awash with reports of members of the House of Representatives acquiring bulletproof Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a staggering N57.6 billion.
The 360-member of the lower chamber will each receive a brand new 2023 LandCruiser SUV valued at N160 million each.
Persecondnews reports that It has been a long tradition to purchase new multi-million naira vehicles for lawmakers every four years.
However, no one really knows what happens to the ones purchased for previous lawmakers.
This has sparked outrage among Nigerians amid the prevailing economic hardship in the country accentuated by inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, high unemployment rate, among others.
Reacting to the backlash, the Green Chamber in a statement by its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, said the vehicles that will be distributed to members are not “personal gifts”.
He claimed that the vehicles attached to members “must be returned after their tenure or they can keep them if they are willing to pay.”
“For the duration of the 10th assembly (2023 – 2027), the vehicles shall remain the property of the National Assembly.
“At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th Assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, honourable members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the National Assembly,” the statement obtained by Persecondnews said.
Persecondnews recalls that President Bola Tinubu, in his 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Speech, urged Nigerians to endure the present difficult times as it is needed for a better future.
While acknowledging the hardships currently faced by the citizens, Tinubu said the “present sacrifice is what greatness and the future required for a Nigeria where hunger, poverty, and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever-fading past.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their disgust and displeasure over the flamboyant life style of Nigeria’s political class.
Reacting via his X handle formerly known as twitter, @brotherbath wrote: “Nigerians must demand that House of Representatives procure Nigeria made in vehicles since they confirmed that the vehicles are for Nigeria.”
@imperialtsar wrote: “The cars they have and own already, what is wrong with them. All the @nassnigeria members earn outrageously, let them use their earnings or personal money to buy whatever car they please & not from the country’s treasury. @SERAPNigeria should help fight this wastage.”
“The National Assembly lacks empathy, They don’t know how to read the room, You procure 2023 SUVs in a budget cycle where the government is struggling to secure a $3bn loan? Both the Senate President & Speaker are a disgrace to Nigerians!” Kelvin @realkelvin07 wrote.
Another use @olayimika opined that: “In a country where citizens are struggling so hard to survive daily, lawmakers in the National Assembly are not bothered, rather they are more concern with frivolities buying brand new SUVs. This is a case of misplaced priority.”
Also, Hamma @HAHayatu, stated: “Even if our national assembly must buy Jeep why not patronize our locally produced by Innoson and others, at least the money will remain in our economy, but they took it abroad. Yet the government preaches austerity measures.”
“If I tell u say these national assembly are the backbone problem of this nation u will say no. How can these people receive a car worth N130 million each while their constituents are dying of hunger every blessed day. Seriously this is inhuman,” Marafa_jnr @TahirMarafa, also wrote.
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