The 469 members of the National Assembly, who are controversial as ever in the eyes of the public, have begun receiving opulent SUVs that are expected to ultimately cost the tax payers N57.6 billion. They disregarded public criticism that questioned the appropriateness of such spending at a time when the bulk of Nigerians are impoverished, the nation is deeply indebted, and the economy is unstable. This is just another disgusting example of avarice on the part of purported representatives of the people. Nigerians ought to object to the absurd spending.
Rejecting calls to support locally built automobiles and at least keep some Nigerians employed, the MPs showed their lack of patriotism and disconnection from the people, despite the fact that their actions were unjustified in all relevant details. However, they persisted on using limited foreign currency to subsidize their public-funded need for SUVs manufactured abroad.
A Toyota Prado SUV, apparently valued between N130 million and N160 million, is being given to each congressman. Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, allegedly placed an earlier order for four Lexus SUVs, totaling N1 billion.
Provocatively, a portion of the N500 billion in palliative spending related to the petrol subsidy cessation may be used to support the luxury. How heartless! The plan is meant to help the roughly 133 million impoverished Nigerians who existed even before the elimination of subsidies and the flotation of the currency caused skyrocketing prices and increased hunger.
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