The House of Representatives has confirmed that the National Assembly bureaucracy was in the phased process of procuring and distributing operational vehicles to the 360 members of the House over the coming weeks and months.
House Spokesman/
Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday night.
Hon. Rotimi said the development was in accordance with extant procurement laws and has been the practice in previous Assemblies.
He said it was also not peculiar to the Legislature, as unelected government officials in the Executive arm of government from Director level and above, in most cases, have official vehicles attached to their offices.
“It is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles to be allocated to the offices of honourable members are utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees. They are not personal vehicles gifted to honourable members.
“For the duration of the 10th assembly (2023 – 2027), the vehicles shall remain the property of the National Assembly. At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th Assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, honourable members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the National Assembly,” the House Spokesperson said.
Rotimi told Nigerians that as part of the 10th National Assembly’s objective to ensure its integrity and independence, members of the Green Chamber have resolved to maintain a respectable distance from the Executive arm of government, especially on issues relating to logistical aspects of oversight functions, including reaching difficult terrains in the country.
He also informed that lawmakers remain committed to reducing the cost of governance in line with present economic realities.
“Those willing to research further would find a significant body of work with evidence that the percentage of the component of the Legislature’s budget as part of our national budget has been on a downward trend over the past decade, despite inflation and the expanding role and relevance of honourable members in the lives of citizens. It currently stands at 0.5% of the Federal budget.
“Accordingly, as all stakeholders continue to advance the conversation about reducing the cost of governance, we encourage looking in the right direction, and not cause disaffection for honourable members who want to discharge their duties effectively and above board, without being susceptible to inducement when the enablement to function is impaired.
“The vehicles are work tools, and not status symbols – Members are diligent and patriotic elected representatives and not entitled. The anticipated allocation of vehicles will contribute to improved representation, constituency outreach and oversight functions,” the House spokesperson added.
