***Despite collecting N6.1 billion in new cars, some lawmakers still cry “we are suffering”.
Members of the House of Representatives have added new additions to their garages, as over 200 of the 360 members of the House have taken delivery of brand new wonders on wheels.
The vehicles manufactured by French automaker Peugeot are the 508 series which cost $46,000 a unit or N17 million. 360 units for all the members of the House are expected to cost N6.1 billion.
The luxury vehicles described by the Senate as utility vehicles will take the average Nigerian earning minimum wage 77 years to afford. Lawmakers change their vehicles almost every electoral cycle and the huge financial burden is placed on Nigerian taxpayers.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas described the exotic cars as “utility vehicles”
He told Punch, “Over 200 have been supplied out of 360 and we are still getting more.
“Every member will get a car by the end of this year. The issue is that the payment and supply of the vehicle is being done in instalments.
“The House and the company (Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited) agreed to this arrangement of paying and supplying in instalments.
“Naturally, not all the members can get their cars at the same time and we have explained to them why this cannot be possible.”
Despite the huge draining effect lawmakers have on the public purse, they are still complaining.
Johnson Agbonayinma (PDP, Edo) said they were being owed salaries since July.
In a statement to Punch, he said, “I don’t know what else to say. We are suffering. Nigerians are suffering.
“The National Assembly is treated with levity; they don’t take our case seriously.
“The people in the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, they tell you the same story every day.
“If there is no money, are those in the Executive not running their services? That is why I have been praying that President Muhammadu Buhari should get well fast and return home.
“So much is not going on well and we need a system that is not stagnated but working properly.”
According to information from CarsGuide, the vehicles come with adaptive headlights, 19 inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sunvisors with vanity mirrors (for bae), power front seats special, head up display, Adjustable Steering Wheel – Tilt & Telescopic, Electronic Stability Program, Front Footwell Lights, Keyless Entry and Drive
Luggage/Cargo Area Light(s), Lane Change Warning, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather and much more.
Here are some photos of the actual Peugeot model, the reps will receive:
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