FOREIGN BRANDED CARS: Eminent Nigerians Carpet Lawmakers Quest For Imported Cars.

EMINENT Constitutional Lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) who is also the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption has carpeted the Nigerian lawmakers over its preference for the purchase of imported vehicles as official vehicles against the locally assembled varieties by Innoson Motors in Nnewi, Anambra state.

Sagay reportedly said the action indicates a height of insensitivity putting into consideration the present crises in the foreign exchange market in the country.

“They do not need imported cars. They already have cars but all they need are pool vehicles. In other words, if they are going about doing their committee work, do they go individually or they go about in groups? That is the question. For me, what they have done is an irresponsible determination to acquire expensive toys at the expense of this country.

At a time when our economy is in the doldrums, we cannot afford it, but these people are determined to extract the last blood from the body of this country in order to enjoy the luxury which they cannot fund but which they want the poor people of this country to fund for them.

“For me, it is totally irresponsible and like I remarked, it just confirms my view that they are not fit to be legislators, they are exhibiting the mentality of someone who is deprived and determined to enjoy an unnecessary luxury at the expense of the country. So it is a big shame, Sagay lamented.

In similar vein, a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav did not mince words to express his disappointment over the penchant rather than making services to the nation as a priority.

“I don’t think the pattern of allowing people to go with their official cars is right. There should be a life span attached to such vehicles that were procured with public funds so that the country will not be spending money quite often on cars.

“However, it is sad that now that people are suffering as a result of the present economic crisis, our lawmakers are taking huge money abroad to buy exotic official cars. I think our lawmakers should be servants of the people and not to be served by the people. It is wrong to take delivery of the cars when we have the Innoson brand, which I believe can boost the economy if supported.

Furthermore, a human right activist, Dr. Abel Douglas did not hide his feelings in criticizing the trend among the members of the National Assembly which it describes as squanderers adding that the allocation on the legislative arms is enough to develop the nation with a short period of time.

As for a Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, the lawmakers are lawbreakers in disguise.

“I can say with all sense od responsibility that there is a kind of hate relationship between the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, Dogara against the people of this country if not, they would not have been engaged in any frivolous spending at this time knowing fully well what the economic reality of the country is right now.

“These two ambitious people have come to do what they planned to do which is rubbish the institutions, rubbish the government and engage in frivolous payments and spending. Nigerians need ton rise and confront them else we will know no peace in this country and what we regard as democracy will be a mirage. Also, Mr President must be ready to confront the National Assembly leadership over these issues.

However, as for the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Yinka Odumakin, it is not just about the members of the National Assembly but an entire system.

“I do not think it is just about the Senate or the National Assembly, it is about the whole governance structure in Nigeria. Look at the budget for this year, every item on the budget has gone on the increase. I don’t think it is about the National Assembly, it is about the fact that we need to address serious governance architecture in Nigeria and if we fail to address it, we are going nowhere. The budget is not reflecting our reality. Every arm of governance should go for locally made vehicles, we should stop tongue lashing only the Senators, it is about our political class entirely”, Odumakin said.

Remarkably, a member of the National Assembly, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP representing Bayelsa Senatorial district recently patronized our local industry by opting for two Nigerian branded vehicles made by Innoson Motors pledging to place order for the armour plated cars from the company.