Why We Are Buying N4.7billion Worth Of Cars Says Nigerian Senate

The Nigerian Senate has responded to reports by online news platform, Premium Times, that it plans to illegally spend an estimated N4.7 billion on exotic cars for its President, Bukola Saraki, and 108 other members.

In a statement signed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, the senate claimed that the vehicles are to be used for execution of committee assignments, noting that, they are not meant for individual senators.

Premium Times had reported that the purchase of the cars in the guise of buying it for committees is a ploy to circumvent the monetisation policy of government which forbids the purchase of official cars for public officials.

Under the policy, no new vehicles should be purchased by any agency of government for use by public officials.

Rather, public officers and political office holders are to receive 250 per cent of their annual basic salary as motor vehicle loan, which translates to N5.07 million for each senator and N545,000,000 million for 109 senators and not N4.7billion as quoted by the senate.

Sources at the National Assembly however said the Senators got these loans before also proceeding to acquire these new Toyota Land Cruisers.

The Senate spokesperson also said the cars in Mr. Saraki’s convoy are so old that they are begging for replacement.

Yet Premium Times learnt the cars were only supplied shortly before the end of the last legislative session in June.

Mr. Abdullahi did not also explain why 10 cars were being bought for Mr. Saraki when the law only provides for six cars for him.