Dino Melaye reacts to exotic jeeps acquired by the Senate

 Dino Melaye Dino Melaye, the chairman of the Senate committee on FCT, on Monday, May 2, has reacted to the 36 cars acquired by the Senate.
  Melaye said that the legislature is not the only arm of government that exists in the country despite the backlash from Nigerians as Director generals among others also use the same type of car. He said that the lawmakers are entitled to the cars because it is contained in the budget and are utilized for their oversight functions. He added that the car is government owned and not private property, as it is either returned or bought before the lawmaker exits his position. Senate clarifies purchase of jeeps for N36.5m each

 “I do not have information about the number but I know vehicles were purchased for committee responsibilities. I know we have about sixty committees but only 36 was purchased. The walk in price for those vehicles is about N31 million so it was ridiculous to read on Sahara reporters that the vehicles were bought double the amount. “Once you give out contracts, the public procurement acts require that you give maximum 25% profit. But this particular contract had only 10% profit. Senators are higher than ministers. It is possible that we should put into situation, the economic situation. “The legislative arm of government is not the only arm of government . 

  Director generals use the same vehicles, NGO's use the same vehicle, ministers have two or three of such vehicles in their fleets, they all come to the National Assembly and we see what they come with. “Because of the economic situation, I can understand that but to say that we are not entitled to it is wrong. I don’t even need it. It is not our car, people forget that. It is a government vehicle and at the expiration of your tenure, you must return it or pay for the devalued price. “People must understand these issues but because of the misinformation of Sahara reporters, with due respect, Nigerians are gullible. Once you pick a story from there, like wild fire is bring propelled. Let Sahara reporters bring a car dealer that will sell a land cruiser at 17 or 18 million.

  Even Prado is not 18 million,” he said. However, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, April 19, justified its decision to buy 36 sport utility vehicles for senators just as it clarified that the money came from its 2015 budget. Senator Abdullahi Gobir, the chairman, committee on Senate services, in an interview with journalists said the Senate did not acquire 108 cars but 36. He said each of the senators from the 36 states, who are either chairmen or vice-chairmen of committees, got a vehicle, with the understanding of their two other colleagues. Gobir also put the value of each of the Land Cruiser VXR V8 vehicles at N36.6m including the cost of purchase, and other taxes.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Dino Melaye Dino Melaye Dino Melaye, the chairman of the Senate committee on FCT, on Monday, May 2, has reacted to the 36 cars acquired by the Senate. In an interview with NAIJ.com, Melaye said that the legislature is not the only arm of government that exists in the country despite the backlash from Nigerians as Director generals among others also use the same type of car. He said that the lawmakers are entitled to the cars because it is contained in the budget and are utilised for their oversight functions. He added that the car is government owned and not private property, as it is either returned or bought before the lawmaker exits his position. READ ALSO: Senate clarifies purchase of jeeps for N36.5m each “I do not have information about the number but I know vehicles were purchased for committee responsibilities. I know we have about sixty committees but only 36 was purchased. The walk in price for those vehicles is about N31 million so it was ridiculous to read on Sahara reporters that the vehicles were bought double the amount. “Once you give out contracts, the public procurement acts require that you give maximum 25% profit. But this particular contract had only 10% profit. Senators are higher than ministers. It is possible that we should put into situation, the economic situation. “The legislative arm of government is not the only arm of government . Director generals use the same vehicles, NGO of parastatals use the same vehicle, ministers have two or three of such vehicles in their fleets, they all come to the National Assembly and we see what they come with. “Because of the economic situation, I can understand that but to say that we are not entitled to it is wrong. I don’t even need it. It is not our car, people forget that. It is a government vehicle and at the expiration of your tenure, you must return it or pay for the devalued price. “People must understand these issues but because of the misinformation of Sahara reporters, with due respect, Nigerians are gullible. Once you pick a story from there, like wild fire is bring propelled. Let Sahara reporters bring a car dealer that will sell a land cruiser at 17 or 18 million. Even Prado is not 18 million,” he said. READ ALSO: NLC call senators criminals, demand to return exotic cars However, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, April 19, justified its decision to buy 36 sport utility vehicles for senators just as it clarified that the money came from its 2015 budget. Senator Abdullahi Gobir, the chairman, committee on Senate services, in an interview with journalists said the Senate did not acquire 108 cars but 36. He said each of the senators from the 36 states, who are either chairmen or vice-chairmen of committees, got a vehicle, with the understanding of their two other colleagues. Gobir also put the value of each of the Land Cruiser VXR V8 vehicles at N36.6m including the cost of purchase, and other taxes.
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