The House of Representatives, have defended their decision to buy N3.6billion cars for its 360 members despite the current economic hardship in the country.
According to the Reps, it said that it’s lawmakers need a good means of mobility in order to be productive in their official assignment, hence the reason to purchase the cars at a low budget of N3.6billion to be paid in installments for 24 months.
The luxury vehicles supplied by the Kaduna-based Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, are to be used in carrying out oversight duties in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.
In an attempt to defend the purchase of the vehicles by the House of Representatives at a time when national income was low due to poor flow of foreign exchange and low oil export, the deputy Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Jonathan Gaza, insisted the purchase was an urgent need.
He argued that in a recession, both the executive and legislative arms of government were expected to work even harder to find urgent solutions to challenges facing the country.
He noted that despite the recession, the members were still expected to carry out their duties effectively and were not expected to trek to the MDAs for oversight duties.
He added, “In a recession, we will all put on our thinking caps. We are working; these are committees’ cars and they are not the personal property of members.
“When you came here today, how did you come? Did you walk down to this place (National Assembly) from your house?
“If a member is going to visit an agency, will he trek there?
“We need materials, computers, stationery, cars; these are all for work.”
The purchase of the vehicles has been heavily criticised by Nigerians for using the country’s fund in luxury at a time when the nation is trying to regain its financial strength.
