Despite economic hardship, Kebbi governor splashes multi-million naira on Toyota jeeps for lawmakers
Despite the economic hardship faced by citizens across the country, the Kebbi State Government has bought new Toyota jeep vehicles for the 24 members of the state House of Assembly.
Considering the cost of importation, the expected profit by the supplier, and inflated prices associated with government expenditure in Nigeria, the state government is expected to have paid multi-million naira for the cars.
SOLACEBASE reports that this is coming in a situation where the inflation rate in the country is over 29% and most state governments are yet to cushion the effect of economic hardship on the populace with palliative.
The state governor, Nasir Idris, in a post on Twitter, on Tuesday evening, said he feels honoured to have fulfilled his promise by distributing ‘24 First Class Toyota Jeeps to the dedicated members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly for their official engagements.”
“Today, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, I personally presented these vehicles, expressing gratitude for the Assembly’s cooperation and understanding. The harmonious working relationship between the Executive Arm and the Assembly has been paramount,” the governor wrote. “In the spirit of collaboration, I joined the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Muhammad Ankwe, in a test drive of the Jeep allocated to him. Let this be a symbol of our commitment to serving the people of Kebbi State diligently.”
While the governor’s spokesperson, Ahmed Idris, did not respond to enquiries on the exact amount paid for the vehicles and the company that supplied them, the government did not disclose whether the expenditure on cars would not affect the running of government and payment of workers and pensioners.
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Meanwhile, critics on social media have described the government’s action as a “misplacement of priority” for a state in a country said to be cash-strapped.
“Public money for “first class” luxury while the people God has allowed to be under you are dying of hunger. In this hardship?! How many tractors would this buy? How many schools? How many hospitals? How many drugs? How much food?Why do you people do this? Why?”, a Twitter user asked.
Critics further said the action of the government although not new in Nigeria is “recklessness that has become the norm.”
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