Members of the House of Representatives have begun receiving their Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), while Senators will receive their first shipment of exotic automobiles this week.
Recall that the National Assembly leadership announced the acquisition of exotic automobiles for N160 million for each legislator and bulletproof vehicles for important officers.
Visitodell learnt that the SUVs for each of the 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives are valued at N57.6 billion.
Meanwhile, this has sparked widespread indignation, especially given the country’s massive debt burden and the fact that an unprecedented number of Nigerians live in poverty.
Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives, told The Punch that members of the House had begun receiving the automobiles.
He disclosed that women, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly were given priority in the legislature.
Only members who have thoroughly resolved their legal matters will be granted the vehicles, according to Rotimi, who added that the last batch of SUVs for MPs will come before December.
He said, “Some members have started taking delivery of their vehicles. Priority was given to women in the parliament, people with any form of disability, and the elderly.
“The management has also ensured that only members who have been fully disposed of their court cases will be given the vehicles to avoid problems.”
A member of the Green Chamber, who requested anonymity, also stated that the management was quite insistent on members explaining the use of the car for legislative purposes.
He said that administration had written a circular to members instructing them not to sell any of the vehicles, emphasizing that they were the property of the National Assembly.
He said, “This particular Assembly is very particular about things being done right. In previous assemblies, people would collect their vehicles and sell them off, but the Speaker has put his foot down against such.
“The spokesperson was mandated to issue a statement internally to members and ensure that no member must sell their vehicles as they are National Assembly property.
“Beyond the circular, the management is seriously following up, particularly to justify the purchase, because the vehicles were bought to give lawmakers a level of autonomy from the executive.”
According to a high-level source, the vehicles would arrive in three groups for the committee chairmen and members to utilize in carrying out their tasks.
