In the light of the widely reported 108 jeeps purchased by the Senate for their use in spite of the lack of funds some standing committees have complained about to carry out their duties, the NLC has threatened the Senate telling them to return the cars or face the wrath of Nigerians.
Mr. Ayuba Wabba, decried the senators actions calling them selfish and reprehensible. He also revealed that the senate had acquired car loans just last year.
He was appalled that the senate could do such a thing after its admission about lack of funds for standing committees. He called on relevant agencies to investigate the matter.
He stated that Nigerians will question where the money was gotten from and why such unappropriated money was used to buy vehicles.
He said “We consider it appalling, insensitive and greedy the decision of the Senate to acquire 108 Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps (one for each member less the Senate President) after collecting car ‘loans’ in August last year for the same purpose.
“It is equally morally despicable and shameful that they are doing this after publicly admitting that the standing committees of the Senate are unable to perform their statutory functions due to paucity of funds.
“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress equally consider it a wilful and grievous criminal act, the inflation of the unit cost of each of the cars by over a 100 per cent, as each car supposedly cost N35.1m instead of N17m.
“Their multiple acts of criminality, ranging from acquiring these cars after previously taking loans for the same purpose; spending money without appropriation and over inflating costs constitute not just corruption but a crime against the Nigerian people whom they claim to represent.
“Accordingly, we demand they return those cars to whoever supplied them or the appropriate agencies prosecute them for corruption. In the event that none of this happens, they should be prepared to keep a date with Nigerian workers and their civil society allies, including market women and students.”
Mr. Wabba wondered why the Senate would spend money so brazenly, money that could be used to help their constituent.
He also mocked the reply of the spokesman for the senate whose reaction to the news was that Senators were entitled to drive jeeps since Special advisors did so too.
The President and Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Messrs Bala Kaigama and Simeso Amachree respectively, also weighed in on the matter saying that the senators had lost touch with the reality of the people who voted them into power.
“It is an act of criminality to acquire cars after collecting loans for the same purpose.
“Where did such idea emanate from for God’s sake at a time the country is bleeding from all sides and seriously gasping for breath? This is obviously a pointer to the fact that our Senators mean no well for the country. They have lost touch with the plight of the people that vote for them.
“We want the Senate to immediately furnish Nigerians and the world with how they got money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation.”
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