NLC Spits Fire, Demands Return Of 108 Cars From Senators

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday reiterated its position that the Senate would return a total of 108 Toyota Land Cruiser sports utility vehicles (SUVs) it bought for senators or be ready to face the wrath of the people who have been subjected by avoidable economic hardship had the lawmakers considered the masses as stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

 

NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in anger stated that the lawmakers have been pushing the masses to wall by embarking on the purchase of the expensive vehicles when the generality of the people are passing through tough times adding the action (purchase of the cars) was wrong and insensitive in the face of the suffering of the masses.

“We consider as appalling, insensitive and greedy the decision of the Senate to acquire 108 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles (one for each member, except the Senate president) after collecting ‘car loans’ in August last year for the same purpose.

“It is equally morally despicable and shameful that they are doing this after publicly admitting that the standing committees of the Senate are unable to perform their statutory functions due to the paucity of funds.

NLC observed that the temerity of the Senate to go ahead with the purchase of the 108 Toyota SUVs after pocketing the car loans amounted to a criminal act calculated to short change the nation.

“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress equally consider it a willful and grievous criminal act, the inflation of the unit cost of each of the cars by over a 100 per cent, as each car supposedly cost N35.1 million instead of N17 million. Aside from this, Nigerians are keen to know from where they got the money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation. The defence offered by the Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, is laughable and childish.

“Couldn’t this have been put to better use such as the constituency projects of these same senators? At a time of severe economic challenges and deepening poverty in the land, can the Senate afford this level of reckless luxury and arrogance?

 “Accordingly, we demand they return those cars to whoever supplied them or the appropriate agencies prosecute them for corruption. In the event none of these happens, they should be prepared to keep a date with Nigerian workers and their civil society allies including market women and students. No one is above the law.

“The answer is, ‘No’. Their multiple acts of criminality, ranging from acquiring these cars after previously taking loans for the same purpose; spending money without appropriation and over inflating costs constitute not just corruption but a crime against the Nigerian people whom they claim to represent”, Wabba said.