The representative of Borno South on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, Ali Ndume, has defended the move by the Nigerian senators to acquire exotic vehicles amid public outcry.
The National Assembly has recently been under fire from the public after it was revealed that each of the 469 lawmakers would receive a N160 million SUV.
Senator Ndume maintains that this development is not unprecedented, pointing out that providing official vehicles for public personnel is a long-standing custom.
“Supplying vehicles to public or civil servants is not a new phenomenon. The pertinent questions are, ‘What are the implications? What is the cost, and what viable alternatives exist?’” Senator Ndume explained during his appearance on the current affairs program “Sunday Politics” on Channels Television.
While Senator Ndume recognized the public’s right to criticize the procurement of these vehicles, particularly in light of Nigeria’s post-petrol subsidy era, he contends that these vehicles are necessary for official tasks.
Senator Ndume further noted that high-ranking public personnel, such as ministers and leaders of government agencies, are typically given official vehicles.
Nonetheless, Senator Ndume noted that the expenses of getting such cars have been continuously rising over the years.
He has shifted his focus and asked President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive decree addressing unexplained riches.
His comment comes as Nigerians continue to suffer the hard-felt effect of fuel subsidy removal.
News About Nigeria recalls that President Bola Tinubu, on assumption of office, immediately removed fuel subsidy. The move triggered an upsurge of the pump price of fuel from N189/litre to over N600.
