The Nigerian Senate has defended its decision to pay N36.5 million for each of dozens of Toyota Land Cruisers recently acquired for senators.
Contrary to reports widely circulated, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, Ibrahim Gobir noted that the senate only purchased 36 vehicles and not 109
The senate has come under fire for apparently spending far more than the open market cost of each of the vehicles, and more importantly for spending the huge amount at a time of national economic crisis.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Mr. Gobir said that the specification and number of the acquired vehicles were higher than those reported in the media.
According to him, the specification of Land Cruisers was VXR V8 not V6.
“The car we bought is Land Cruiser VXR V8, not V6,” said Mr. Gobir.
“The showroom price is about N31 million minimum and then when you add 10 per cent tax it becomes 36.5 million.
“In fact you can go to the internet and download it; it is very simple, we can give you the website, and you can see them..
He also said that the Senate purchased only 36 vehicles, contrary to media reports that it procured 108 cars.
“That we bought 108 cars is totally wrong; it is not correct. We bought 36 cars.
“These 36 cars, each senator in each state is either a chairman or a vice chairman and we gave one car to each state to share as utility car. So, we don’t have money to buy 108 cars.
Contrary to reports widely circulated, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, Ibrahim Gobir noted that the senate only purchased 36 vehicles and not 109
The senate has come under fire for apparently spending far more than the open market cost of each of the vehicles, and more importantly for spending the huge amount at a time of national economic crisis.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Mr. Gobir said that the specification and number of the acquired vehicles were higher than those reported in the media.
According to him, the specification of Land Cruisers was VXR V8 not V6.
“The car we bought is Land Cruiser VXR V8, not V6,” said Mr. Gobir.
“The showroom price is about N31 million minimum and then when you add 10 per cent tax it becomes 36.5 million.
“In fact you can go to the internet and download it; it is very simple, we can give you the website, and you can see them..
He also said that the Senate purchased only 36 vehicles, contrary to media reports that it procured 108 cars.
“That we bought 108 cars is totally wrong; it is not correct. We bought 36 cars.
“These 36 cars, each senator in each state is either a chairman or a vice chairman and we gave one car to each state to share as utility car. So, we don’t have money to buy 108 cars.
