The Nigerian Senate, on Monday, 14th December 2015,gave reasons why it is purchasing cars whose value is given at 5 billion Naira, in spite of the Federal Government’s insistence that Nigeria is in a cash crunch.

It would be recalled that news had become rife on Social and mainstream media that the Senate was planning to buy cars for the Senate president and the 108 members.

In a swift reaction, chairman Senate committee on Publicity, Aliyu Abdullahi claimed that the cars were not for the individual use of the senators but for shuttling for committee assignments. Aliyu stated this in a press statement issued by him in Abuja on Sunday. The statement reads as follows:

The vehicles are not meant for individual Senators. They are purchased for the use of the committees. For those who may want to find out what happened to the ones bought in the past, we cannot expect that after four years,the vehicles will still be in the condition to effectively serve thepresent committees. The best practice in government institutions and even private organizations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value.

We have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our spendings. We have also cut down on several expenses. However, there are certain expenses and purchases that are normal in government and any organisation generally. The legislature is not an exception.

With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate President, it should be noted that majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his personal vehicles while some of the vehicles that he inherited, including his official vehicles and the back up car, are so old that they are already developing faults and not fit for long journey. We can recall that on several occasions, his official car broke down. Three instances will suffice here. I remember on a visit to Nasarawa state for a wedding of the daughter of a colleague. Other occasions were at the National Mosque three weeks ago and at the Abuja airport.

The implication is that the vehicles in his official convoy are so old that they are already causing embarrassment for the Senate. The media should know that a man of his antecedent will not at this point be excited with purchase of new cars. His official cars are really long overdue for replacement.

The media should avoid deliberately portraying the legislature as irresponsible and inciting the people against it. We seek the understanding of the media to explain issues and situations to the people. Both the media and the legislature have different roles to play in sustaining our democracy and none should be seen to be undermining the other.

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity.

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