N3.6bn Luxury Cars: We Can’t Trek When Going To Dispatch Our Duties, Reps Says

The green chambers was lashed by several Nigerians over its plan to purchase luxury cars for 360 members at a time when the country is going through economic recession.

But the lower chamber claimed that lawmakers “cannot trek” when going to dispatch their duties, adding that the means of mobility while carrying out oversight duties over Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government was a necessity.

The Deputy Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Jonathan Gaza, while defending the procurement of the cars on Thursday, said that recession would not stop lawmakers from performing their legislative duties.

He added, “In a recession, we will all put on our thinking caps. We are working; these are committees’ cars and they are not the personal property of members.

“When you came here today, how did you come? Did you walk down to this place (National Assembly) from your house?

“If a member is going to visit an agency, will he trek there?

“We need materials, computers, stationery, cars; these are all for work.”

Asked to comment on whether the National Assembly would approve Buhari’s bid to take a loan of $29.96bn, Gaza replied that discussions were ongoing between the two sides.

There are indications that the refusal of the government to fund the projects is reported to be one of the sore points in the relationship between Buhari and the National Assembly.

“We don’t release money for constituency projects. Our work is to pass the budget and we passed the 2016 budget. It is the responsibility of the executive to release funds for projects.

“Also, the money is not paid into our pockets, we don’t touch it,” he replied.