Federal Lawmaker Confirms Reports, Says New Vehicles Are Work Tools to Reach Remote Constituencies

The House of Representatives through its Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi has confirmed the distribution of Toyota Prado SUVs worth N130 million to each lawmaker.

He said the vehicles are utility operational 2023 model Prado SUVs and are tied to their oversight functions and are to be used in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees.

According to him, they are not personal vehicles.

He added that the vehicles would 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.

He said members have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can claim ownership.

Rotimi stated this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to the media reports that trailed the controversial SUVs.

Explaining further, he said this development is in accordance with extant procurement laws and has been the practice in previous assemblies.

He also said it is not peculiar to the legislature, as 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 noted tat 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, honourable 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.