The Nigerian Senate has responded to reports by online news platform,
Premium Times, that it plans to illegally spend an estimated N4.7
billion on exotic cars for its President, Bukola Saraki, and 108 other
members.
In a statement signed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman,
Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, the senate claimed that the
vehicles are to be used for execution of committee assignments, noting
that, they are not meant for individual senators.
Premium Times had reported that the purchase of the cars in the guise
of buying it for committees is a ploy to circumvent the monetisation
policy of government which forbids the purchase of official cars for
public officials.
Under the policy, no new vehicles should be purchased by any agency of
government for use by public officials.
Rather, public officers and political office holders are to receive
250 per cent of their annual basic salary as motor vehicle loan, which
translates to N5.07 million for each senator and N545,000,000 million
for 109 senators and not N4.7billion as quoted by the senate.
Sources at the National Assembly however said the Senators got these
loans before also proceeding to acquire these new Toyota Land
Cruisers.
The Senate spokesperson also said the cars in Mr. Saraki's convoy are
so old that they are begging for replacement.
Yet Premium Times learnt the cars were only supplied shortly before
the end of the last legislative session in June.
Mr. Abdullahi did not also explain why 10 cars were being bought for
Mr. Saraki when the law only provides for six cars for him.
Read the full statement by the senate below
PROJECT VEHICLES FOR COMMITTEE WORK, SAYS SENATE
"The vehicles are not meant for individual Senators. They are
purchased for the use of the committees.
"For those who may want to find out what happened to the ones bought
in the past, we cannot expect that after four years, the vehicles will
still be in the condition to effectively serve the present committees.
The best practice in government institutions and even private
organizations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials
after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value",
Abdullahi stated.
"We have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our
spendings. We have also cut down on several expenses.
However, there are certain expenses and purchases that are normal in
government and any organisation generally. The legislature is not an
exception.
"With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate President, it
should be noted that majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his
personal vehicles while some of the vehicles that he inherited,
including his official vehicles and the back up car, are so old that
they are already developing faults and not fit for long journey. We
can recall that on several occasions, his official car broke down.
Three instances will suffice here. I remember on a visit to Nasarawa
state for a wedding of the daughter of a colleague. Other occasions
were at the National Mosque three weeks ago and at the Abuja airport.
"The implication is that the vehicles in his official convoy are so
old that they are already causing embarrassment for the Senate. The
media should know that a man of his antecedent will not at this point
be excited with purchase of new cars. His official cars are really
long overdue for replacement.
"The media should avoid deliberately portraying the legislature as
irresponsible and inciting the people against it. We seek the
understanding of the media to explain issues and situations to the
people. Both the media and the legislature have different roles to
play in sustaining our democracy and none should be seen to be
undermining the other."
-PMNews
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