By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Monday confirmed that the National Assembly leadership has concluded plans to purchase and distribute operational vehicles placed at a cost of N130 million each for the 360 members next week.
The confirmation was made yesterday in a press statement by the Chairman, House House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi in Abuja.
Hon. Rotimi stated that the purchases were in accordance with extant procurement laws as has been the practice in previous Assemblies.
Rotimi explained further that the practice of providing vehicles is not peculiar to the Legislature adding that even some unelected government officials in the executive arm of government from the director level and above, in most cases, have official vehicles attached to their offices.
He maintained, “it is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles to be allocated to the offices of honorable 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, honorable 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 House Spokesperson said.
The spokesman of the House also stated that as part of the 10th National Assembly’s objective to ensure its integrity and independence, members of the Green Chamber have resolved to maintain a respectable distance from the executive arm of government, especially on issues relating to logistical aspects of oversight functions, including reaching difficult terrains in the country.
He also informed that lawmakers remain committed to reducing the cost of governance in line with present economic realities
