Why we bought ₦3.6bn exotic cars during recession –Reps

Yesterday, the House of Representatives defended its decision to buy exotic cars for its 360 members at a period the country’s economy is in recession. It said lawmakers must have a means of mobility while carrying out oversight duties over Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the FG.

The House will spend at least N3.6bn across 24 months to complete payment for the luxury vehicles supplied by the Kaduna-based Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited. .

The Deputy Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Jonathan Gaza, while defending the procurement of the cars, said that recession would not stop lawmakers from performing their legislative duties.

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.

Gaza noted that while working during recession, members were not expected to trek to the premises of 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.”

Crdt: Punchng