How House of Representatives are Splashing N130 Million on Luxury SUVs

ABUJA, (iexclusivenews) – The House of Representatives has confirmed that it is procuring and distributing utility Prado SUVs worth N130 million to each of its members.

The vehicles are meant to facilitate the oversight functions of the lawmakers in various parts of the country.

However, the spokesman for the parliament, Rotimi Akin, made this disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday night.

He said the initiative was in line with the existing procurement laws and the practice of previous assemblies.

MORE NEWS:

How US is Trying to Stop China from Getting AI Chips

JTAH Foundation To Hold Girls Talk To Commemorate Girl Child Day

Revitalizing INEC’s Standing: PDP Urges Redeeming Actions in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Elections

The Vehicles are Not Personal Gifts

Mr Akin explained that the vehicles were not personal gifts to the lawmakers, but rather work tools that would remain the property of the National Assembly for the duration of the 10th assembly, which spans from 2023 to 2027.

“However, should the government’s extant assets deboarding policy still be in place at the end of the assembly’s tenure in 2027, lawmakers may have the option to purchase the vehicles before they become their property,” he added.

He emphasised that the vehicles were essential for enhancing the performance of the lawmakers’ duties, especially when it comes to oversight functions in different regions of the country.

The Aim is to Ensure Effective Implementation of Government Policies

Mr Akin said the aim of procuring and distributing the vehicles was to ensure that government interventions, programmes, and policies were effectively implemented and monitored, regardless of where Nigerian citizens reside.

He said this would enable the lawmakers to represent their constituents better and hold the executive accountable for its actions.

He also highlighted the percentage of the legislature’s budget as part of the national budget, which had steadily decreased over the past decade, currently standing at 0.5 per cent of the federal budget.

Mr Akin urged stakeholders to focus on reducing costs in other areas while supporting lawmakers to fulfil their duties efficiently and with integrity.

He said the vehicles were not status symbols intended to flaunt wealth or power, but rather work tools that would help improve representation, constituency outreach, and oversight functions by election representatives.