The house of representatives has reacted to reports on the
procurement of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for the 360 members of the lower
chamber.
Recently, reports appeared on social media that the
leadership of the green chamber has bought SUVs for all members of the house.
According to the report, each of the SUVs is valued at N160
million, totalling N57.6 billion for the purchase of the vehicles.
In a statement on Sunday, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the
house of representatives, confirmed that the green chamber is in the “phased
process of procuring and distributing operational vehicles to honourable
members”.
Rotimi said the reports on the vehicle procurement “carry
varying exaggerations”, adding that the vehicles are not personal gifts to the
lawmakers.
He added that the vehicles remain the property of the
national assembly within the four-year tenure of members of the house.
“It is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles
to be allocated to the offices of honourable members are utility operational
vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in
the standing committees.
“They are not
personal vehicles gifted to honourable members. 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.
“No matter how remote the location is, as long as there are
Nigerian citizens living there, they deserve highly mobile representatives who
can see first-hand what they are going through, and ensure government
interventions, programmes, and policies are carried out effectively. This can
only be possible with functional and reliable off-road vehicles.
“The vehicles are work tools and not status symbols —
honourable members are diligent and patriotic elected representatives and not
entitled.
“The anticipated
allocation of vehicles will contribute to improved representation, constituency
outreach and oversight functions.”
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