Lawmakers Fume as State House Spends ₦6 Billion on Vehicles in 2024
As Nigeria grapples with a deepening cost-of-living crisis, the State House has faced harsh criticism over its decision to spend ₦5.9 billion on vehicles in 2024. This spending is under scrutiny at a time when many citizens are struggling with the effects of inflation and challenging government policies, as reported by Naija News.
The Senate Committee on Special Duties voiced its concerns during a session on Tuesday, where the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, defended the budget allocations for 2025. Fashedemi clarified that ₦3.9 billion of the ₦4 billion allocation was spent on operational vehicles, while the entire ₦2 billion for replacing Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) was utilized.
This led to demands for clarification from lawmakers regarding the necessity and specifics of the vehicle purchases.
Lawmakers Seek Details
Abdul Ningi, the senator for Bauchi Central, questioned the justification for the vehicle acquisitions and replacements, requesting information on the types, models, and quantities of vehicles purchased. He also raised concerns about the replacement of SUVs, asking, “What vehicles are involved, how many have been bought, and what models are they? What does the replacement process entail?”
Similarly, Aminu Adamu, the senator from Adamawa Central, called the expenditure report “misleading” and “deceptive.” He criticized the figures, stating, “The way this report has been presented, it seems designed to deceive us. It is misleading to claim 100% utilization when less than five percent was released.”
Defense of the Spending
In his defense, Fashedemi, who took office only a month ago, emphasized that the spending was in accordance with the approved 2024 budget. He argued that the State House was legally required to execute the budget as passed by lawmakers.
“These purchases were explicitly outlined in the 2024 budget, and it is our duty to carry out these allocations as prescribed,” he explained.
While some lawmakers remained unconvinced, others seemed to accept his explanation, noting that the expenditures were part of the approved budget.
Committee Chairman Kaka Shehu called for transparency and greater collaboration between the State House and the legislature to prevent future disputes.
