Not personal gifts reps clarify reports on purchase of bulletproof SUVs for lawmakers
The House of Representatives has reacted to reports on the procurement of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for the 360 members of the lower chamber.
Recall the reports that the leadership of the Representative 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”.
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.
He added that 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.
He mentioned that 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.
