Nasarawa State Buys Vehicles Worth N504 Million For State Lawmakers

Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, has bought 24 Toyota Hilux vehicles for state lawmakers. These cars will serve as their official vehicles. The estimated cost of one of this Toyota Hilux is N21m. This keeps the combined estimated cost at nearly N504 million.

According to Daily Trust, Nasarawa state is among states without a ventilator to help in the fight against coronavirus pandemic. The report also says that some Medical and Health Workers in the state on Thursday protested non-payment of their March salary by Doma local government. They made a threat to embark on industrial action from Friday, if they don’t get their payments.

• See Also: Anambra Lawmakers Reject Toyota Prado SUVs From Their Governor, Prefer Innoson SUVs To Save Cost

However, an activist, Omar Nurudeen, said the presentation of new Toyota Hilux to the 24 lawmakers was unnecessary. He lamented that the vehicles were presented at a time most states have cut down their spending to meet the economic challenges brought on in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Omar noted that each vehicle which allegedly cost N21m could pay for at least three ventilators, which would have improved the health system of the state.

Umar Angibi, a member of All Progressives Congress, said the purported purchase of cars may appear to be irresponsible at this point in time because of the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, but not necessarily an illegitimate act. “If the resources used by the House of Assembly to acquire the vehicles are their entitlement, then let it be, after all government is a continuum,” says Angibi.

Chairman of the leading opposition People’s Democratic Party in the state, Francis Orogu declined with “No comment for the moment.”

• See Also: Nasarawa State Number Plate Codes And What They Mean