#5.5BN VEHICLE PURCHASE: CONDEMNATION TRAILS THE SENATE PROPOSAL

A cross section of people in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital has described as outrageous the plan by Senators of the 9th Assembly to spend 5.5 billion naira on the purchase of vehicles.

The said vehicles are for the principal officers of the upper legislative chamber.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the people said that given the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country, it would be unfair for the lawmakers to spend such an amount of money on just vehicles.

Many Nigerians have been questioning the rationale behind the move.

According to reports, the preferred brand of vehicle being considered for the Senators is Toyota Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle estimated at 50 million naira each.

Although acquiring official vehicle is within the rights of the Senators, the citizens are saying that the legislators, who have been adjudged to be the highest paid globally in a country that has the highest rate of extreme poverty and high number of unemployed youths, should review their demand.

Speaking on the matter, a legal practitioner in Abakaliki, Mr. Parkins Uzor, who expressed dismay over the move, wondered why the implementation of the new national minimum wage was being delayed, a situation he said was a negation on the promise of the present administration to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers.

A Veteran Journalist, Mr. Okechukwu Emmanuel, noted that the plan by the Senate was an indication of insensitivity of government to the plight of Nigerians, who suffer from poverty.

Mr. Okechukwu reminded the Senators that they were elected to represent their people and urged them to concentrate on ventures that would improve the economy of the country for the benefit of the people.

Some non governmental organisations, including the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT, Enough is Enough and over six thousand concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit asking a Federal High Court to stop the National Assembly Service Commission from releasing the money to the Senate.

Nigerians await the outcome of that lawsuit.

UZO EGWU