By John Odhe, YENAGOA
Controversy has continued to trail the N110 billion for National Assembly lawmakers’ vehicles and support allowance for newly elected members.
Residents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State described the amount as outrageous and insensitive to the plights of Nigerians at a time that the country was yearning for economic and infrastructure development.
A political analyst, Comrade David West is amongst Nigerians condemning the national assembly for voting such a whopping some for cars and allowances.
“I think it’s criminal in nature. I say so because, not in this time when Nigerians are going through abject poverty, when the average Nigerian is finding it difficult to have a cup of garri to drink.
“But here we are that the national assembly, who, according to them, said we voted for them, are requesting for so much. It’s not even a request anymore because they have already spent the first one.
“It is the SUVs they are driving today. The money they have already spent it. But to God be the glory, the court has said the money is illegal because due process was not followed in line with our procurement Act.
“I would have suggested that they refund all the money they have collected, even the SUVs. I’m happy the court has stopped them because the national assembly members do not have conscience. If they do, in this bleeding Nigeria, they won’t be making such requests,” West stated.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had declared as unlawful the controversial N120 billion national assembly vehicles and allowance schemes.
It said spending N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion on support allowance for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations and public trust.
