Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have started receiving their Sports Utility Vehicles, while those in the Senate will receive the first batch of theirs this week, according to The PUNCH.
The last tranche of the SUVs is expected to arrive before December.
The purchase of the imported SUVs, which include bulletproof vehicles for the principal officers, has generated heavy criticism from the public.
However, the leadership of the National Assembly has defended the purchase, saying lawmakers need the vehicles for their operations.
The spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, has confirmed that some members have started taking delivery of the vehicles.
“Some members have started taking delivery of their vehicles. Priority was given to women in the parliament, people with any form of disability and the elderly.
“The management has also ensured that only members who have been fully disposed of their court cases will be given the vehicles to avoid problems,” he said.
According to The PUNCH, a member of the House of Representatives, who pleaded anonymity, said that the management is keen on members justifying the use of the vehicles for their legislative operations and has issued a circular stating that the vehicles are the property of the National Assembly and must not be sold.
The management is also following up with members to ensure that the vehicles are used for their intended purpose, as they were bought to give lawmakers a level of autonomy from the executive.
Top-level sources say that the vehicles will arrive in three batches for the use of the committee chairmen and members. Another source said that although the vehicles have generated a lot of controversy, they are intended to help lawmakers perform their duties.
