NASS
Presidential Yacht Delivered Already – Sen. Ndume.
By Anthony Beauty
In a startling revelation, Ali Ndume, the chief whip of the Senate, disclosed that the contentious presidential yacht has been delivered without payment. This revelation has raised serious concerns about potential corruption, as the procurement of the yacht did not follow the standard due process. The N5 billion allocated for the yacht’s acquisition was added to a supplementary budget, emphasizing the outstanding payment.
Ndume, speaking on ‘The Morning Show’ on Arise Television, questioned the rationale behind the purchase of a yacht instead of essential naval warships to combat oil theft. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter and suggested that the yacht be returned to its original source of procurement.
He stated, “I understand that the presidential yacht has already been delivered. The deal has been signed, delivered but not paid, and that is why the amount was included in the supplementary budget. When we queried the amount, the navy explained that this is not a new item.”
Ndume also expressed skepticism about the necessity of such a luxurious expenditure, given that the President is not known for extravagance. The Senate had reservations about the N5 billion allocation, with some members suggesting that the funds should be redirected to address student loans.
“At this time, that N5 billion going for that is not adequate. In the house of reps, they felt differently and that it should be completely removed and added to the N5 billion provided for the student loan.”
According to Ndume, the project is not a new one, and the navy pushed for it because they believed they had a prior commitment to fulfill. The presidency, meanwhile, maintains that the yacht serves a naval purpose, despite the controversy surrounding its acquisition.
REPS CALL FOR SUSPENSION OF NMDPRA BOSS OVER ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DANGOTE REFINERY
By Tobouke JEMINE
The House of Representatives has called for the suspension of Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), pending an investigation into his statements about Dangote Refinery.
This decision follows a motion by Esosa Iyawe, representing Esosa Federal Constituency, Edo State. Iyawe highlighted concerns over fuel quality in the Nigerian market, emphasizing the impact of high sulphur content on engines and pollution.
Contrary to Farouk’s claims that Dangote’s diesel is inferior with high sulphur content, tests showed Dangote’s diesel has significantly lower sulphur levels compared to imported diesel.
Lawmakers criticized Farouk’s statements and are investigating his allegations and the presence of middlemen in crude trading.
“N160m Jeeps for Each House Member: An Insensitivity by Members of the House of Representatives”
By Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie
In a time not too long ago, Nigeria proudly used Peugeot 504s, a locally assembled vehicle, for its President and other government officials. However, for reasons best known to those in power, this sensible policy was abandoned. Fast forward to today, and we are confronted with the audacious purchase of bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps for each member of the House of Representatives, at an eye-watering total cost of over N57 billion each. This, my fellow Nigerians, is an affront to our sensibilities and a stark reminder of the misguided priorities in our nation.
At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented hardships, the insensitivity displayed by our elected representatives is deeply disheartening. How many of these House members were seen driving vehicles worth as much as N60 million before their election to the hallowed chambers? The answer, in all likelihood, is close to none. This lavish spending on luxury SUVs stands in stark contrast to the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians who struggle to make ends meet.
What is more distressing is that both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP, along with members of the Labor Party (LP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) amongst others all partook in this extravagance. It seems that political affiliation makes no difference when it comes to benefiting from the public purse. If it was indeed necessary to purchase SUVs for each member, why not consider buying them from INNOSON Motors, a Nigerian manufacturer, at a very distant reduced cost? This could have not only saved taxpayer funds but also created jobs for our people. If we must insist on imported brands, no lawmaker is worthy of riding in any vehicle whose cost is more than N40 million.
It is high time our lawmakers started prioritizing the pressing needs of the nation over their personal luxuries. The N57 billion spent on these Jeeps could have been invested in healthcare, education, infrastructure, or other essential sectors that require urgent attention. Nigerians deserve better stewardship from their elected representatives, and this recent purchase of N160 million Jeeps for each House member is a glaring example of how out of touch our leaders have become with the plight of the average citizen.
In conclusion, it is imperative that we hold our leaders accountable and demand a more responsible and transparent use of public funds. We must not accept this level of insensitivity and wasteful spending, especially in a time when our country needs prudent economic management and equitable development more than ever. It is high time we ask for better from those who are meant to serve the people