At a time when nations are pulling resources together to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the House of Representatives has spent not less than 10 million dollars on utility vehicles.
Punch newspaper exclusively reported that the green chamber has started taking delivery of the Toyota Camry 2020 model cars acquired for members as official cars.
It was gathered that the cars were sighted in different parking lots within the National Assembly Complex on Thursday.
It was gathered that the legislators, in a closed-door meeting of February 5, resolved to purchase 400 units of the exotic car.
Meanwhile, checks on the website of Toyota revealed that each of the vehicles does not cost less than US$25,000, excluding the cost of shipping and customs duties.
However, when POLITICS NIGERIA calculated the amount, using the 350naira/1 dollar exchange rate, the 400 exotic cars gulped nothing less than 3.5 billion naira.
This is coming at a time when Nigeria, just like many other countries, is battling the surge of Covid-19. The country has recorded 65 cases in total.
This paper reported how individuals and groups have contributed to the fight against the pandemic by donating funds for the purchase of medical equipment.
Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar donated 50 million naira, while the United Bank of Africa (UBA) offered 15 million dollars on Thursday.
Reacting to this, Festus Ogun, a human rights lawyer, opined that the move by the lawmakers is a misplacement of priority.
Mr Ogun spoke with POLITICS NIGERIA on Friday morning. He said: “What other testimony do we need to show that the leadership of the country appears to be detached from the genuine concerns of its people?
“I think the House needs to be more concerned about the welfare and security of Nigerians at this trying period rather than to spend N3.5bn on exotic cars which would in no way contribute to the tragedy the country is plunged into. It is unnecessary, arbitrary and untimely.”
Mr Ogun further said;” if this is coming at a time when the country and the rest of the world is almost on a total locked down with the deadly epidemic, it shows clearly that the House of Reps is clearly disconnected the primary reality of legislative lawmaking.
“We must make it abundantly clear that at this period, many Nigerians are hopeless, hungry and helpless. Those who eke out living on the street have been sent.
“Rather than spend the huge billions of naira on the procurement of vehicles, they should be looking for ways to ensure the right to life at this period mean the right to adequate welfare and means of livelihood,” he advised.
