Lawmakers can’t oversight on foot… we need vehicles, says reps spokesman

Abdulrazak Namdas, spokesman of the house of
representatives, says the Peugeot 508 vehicles which some lawmakers
in the lower legislative chamber took delivery of will be used for
over sight purposes.

On Monday, Namdas confirmed the delivery of 200 out 360 vehicles
which is said to be ordered from Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited
(PAN) – worth N3.4 billion.

Nine months ago, the house had taken delivery of 50 Peugeot
cars.

In an interview with PUNCH, Namdas said
rather than going for Toyota Prado sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
or other higher brands, they opted for Peugeot 508 “because of
national interest”.

He explained that taking delivery of the vehicles from PAN would
help the economic recession as “money will circulate within the
country”.

“The vehicles are meant for the utility services of members; for
example, committee work. It is known everywhere that
parliamentarians undertake what is called oversight functions. An
oversight function requires moving from one place to another and,
therefore, we need these utility vehicles. Members of the national
assembly and, in this case, the house of representatives, belong to
many committees,” Namdas said.

“Their attention is needed once in a while to visit one project
site or another. They cannot go on such a visit on foot. They will
need to use vehicles.

“This practice is not exclusive to the national assembly.
Members of the state houses of assembly also embark on such visits
and they also require utility vehicles.

“Besides, our real aim was to patronise a car made in Nigeria,
so that it would have some impact on the economy. It means that the
manufacturer will employ more workers and produce more cars.
Concerning the economic recession that you talked about, it means
that the money will circulate within the country.”

He added that at the end of the tenure of the lawmakers, they
may decide to keep the vehicle after it has been valued and paid
for.

Abdulrazak Namdas, spokesman of the house of
representatives, says the Peugeot 508 vehicles which some lawmakers
in the lower legislative chamber took delivery of will be used for
over sight purposes.

On Monday, Namdas confirmed the delivery of 200 out 360 vehicles
which is said to be ordered from Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited
(PAN) – worth N3.4 billion.

Nine months ago, the house had taken delivery of 50 Peugeot
cars.

In an interview with PUNCH, Namdas said
rather than going for Toyota Prado sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
or other higher brands, they opted for Peugeot 508 “because of
national interest”.

He explained that taking delivery of the vehicles from PAN would
help the economic recession as “money will circulate within the
country”.

“The vehicles are meant for the utility services of members; for
example, committee work. It is known everywhere that
parliamentarians undertake what is called oversight functions. An
oversight function requires moving from one place to another and,
therefore, we need these utility vehicles. Members of the national
assembly and, in this case, the house of representatives, belong to
many committees,” Namdas said.

“Their attention is needed once in a while to visit one project
site or another. They cannot go on such a visit on foot. They will
need to use vehicles.

“This practice is not exclusive to the national assembly.
Members of the state houses of assembly also embark on such visits
and they also require utility vehicles.

“Besides, our real aim was to patronise a car made in Nigeria,
so that it would have some impact on the economy. It means that the
manufacturer will employ more workers and produce more cars.
Concerning the economic recession that you talked about, it means
that the money will circulate within the country.”

He added that at the end of the tenure of the lawmakers, they
may decide to keep the vehicle after it has been valued and paid
for.