The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to abandon their alleged plan to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.
They are also urged to forgo the allocation of N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members.
SERAP demands that Akpabio and Abbas repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act, reducing the National Assembly’s budget by N110 billion to reflect the current economic realities and address the impact of fuel subsidy removal on over 137 million poor Nigerians.
In a letter dated July 15, 2023, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP criticized the national assembly leadership for their plan to spend N40 billion on luxurious vehicles for members and principal officials, as well as N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members.Oluwadare emphasized,
“It is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for members of the National Assembly to unjustifiably increase their own budget at a time when over 137 million poor Nigerians are living in extreme poverty exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.”
SERAP also urged them to request President Bola Tinubu to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, redirecting the N110 billion to address the situation of over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, subject to the approval of the National Assembly.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
Reports indicate that the National Assembly plans to purchase 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado for members’ use, in addition to the bulletproof vehicles allocated to the four presiding officers.
The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is separate from the N281 billion already allocated in the 2023 National Assembly budget.
Furthermore, it differs from the N30.17 billion budgeted for ‘inauguration expenses’ for new members.
