Senate denies planning to spend N47.5b on cars

The Senate has denied the comment made by President Buhari during his maiden media chat, that the lawmakers budgeted N4.7b for cars.

During the presidential media chat, Buhari said “N47.5bn for vehicles for the National Assembly members? I think I will explore the possibility of that power. If I can turn down N400m for vehicles in the Presidency, I think we don’t need new cars; we can manage the old ones because of the economy.”

Speaking to Leadership Newspapers, the Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, said “Since the claim in an online medium that we are planning to purchase vehicles, we have not taken any further action on the issue. We are surprised that a proposed purchase became a subject of controversy and several figures that are far from our projections have been bandied around.

“While an online medium put the figure at N4.5 billion, another one said N6 billion and now the President on national television was talking about N50 billion. These are outrageous figures. Once the debate on the 2016 budget begins, Nigerians will have the opportunity of knowing how much we voted for purchase of cars and how we intend spending the vote.”

Adding that “This is a responsible and responsive National Assembly. We really need project for vehicles to facilitate our work We will however follow due process when we choose to take decisions on the purchase. We will also take into consideration the views, feelings and mood of the nation in taking the decisions. We will not be profligate or extravagant when what is apparently needed in our country is moderate and frugal spending.

“We however call on all Nigerians to be patient with us, and not jump the gun or rush into conclusions, particularly when no decision has been taken. The way the issue is being presented is as if we have ordered the car or have paid for it.”

The Presidential media chat was held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015.