The House of Representatives has purchased 360 cars worth N3.6bn for its members even as the country continues to battle recession, Punch reports.
It was learnt that 28 Toyota Peugeot cars had already been delivered to the House as part of the 50 units expected from the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited.
It was also learnt that each of the cars were purchased at N10 million and are expected to be delivered in batches, according to a top aide in the National Assembly.
“Fifty cars will be supplied in the first batch; 28 have already been delivered. That was last week.
“Twenty-two more in the first batch are expected to be delivered this week,” the source stated.
It was gathered that the House of Representatives is expected to pay for the cars in a period of two years.
According to sources, the cars were meant for new members of the lower chamber, but old members will also get one each.
The source said, “The House was not sure of the provisions in the budget owing to the general drop in the revenue available to the Federal Government this year.
“So, they delayed it till the budget was passed before they continued with the procurement processing.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, confirmed that members had started taking delivery of the vehicles.
Namadas, however said the cars were not luxury but meant for committee and oversight functions.
He said, “This issue of cars is long overdue. They are not for luxury but for committee and oversight duties.
“The 8th Assembly is nearing two years, yet members have no cars to carry out their duties.
“Ministers and other officials in the executive have long bought vehicles for official duties.
“At the state level, members of House of Assembly have cars to carry out basic functions.
“I think it is only fair that members of the National Assembly will have utility vehicles for their assignments.”
