Members of both arms of the National Assembly, Senate, and House of Representatives, have started getting their newly acquired 2023 Toyota Land Cruisers, each worth over N100 million.
It has been revealed that female lawmakers were given precedence in the allocation of the vehicles, with 12 of them having already received their cars. The principal officers of both chambers are expected to be the last in line to acquire theirs.
It’s worth noting that the leadership of the National Assembly had previously disclosed their intentions to procure 109 units of the 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser for the senators and 2023 Toyota Prado vehicles for the 360 members of the House of Representatives.
An anonymous lawmaker confirmed to Vanguard yesterday that House members would begin receiving their vehicles this past weekend.
A House member who spoke with newsmen on the condition of anonymity expressed their excitement at the prospect of acquiring their SUV, being a first-time lawmaker.
”I will be glad to receive my own, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
In response to last night, Akin Rotimi, the House spokesperson and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated in Abuja, “It is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles to be allocated to the offices of members are utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees. They are not personal vehicles gifted to honorable members.”
“For the duration of the 10th assembly 2023 – 2027, the vehicles shall remain the property of the National Assembly. At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th Assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the National Assembly.”
“The public is invited to note that as part of the 10th Assembly’s objective to ensure our integrity and independence, members of the Green Chamber have resolved to maintain a respectable distance from the executive arm of government, especially in issues relating to logistical aspects of oversight functions, including reaching difficult terrains in the country.”
“No matter how remote the location is, as long as there are Nigerian citizens living there, they deserve highly mobile representatives who can see first-hand what they are going through, and ensure government interventions, programs, and policies are carried out effectively. This can only be possible with functional and reliable off-road vehicles.”