Choice of exotic cars divides Reps!

Like their counterparts in the Senate, the 360 members of the House of Representatives will also own new exotic cars worth billions of naira.

The difference is that unlike the Senate which has already ordered Toyota Land Cruisers for its 109 members at the cost of N4.7bn, the House will tarry till 2016 to make its order, owing to a cash crunch.

Investigations by Punch showed that a decision had been taken that cars would be purchased for the members in 2016.

However, what is in dispute is the brand of exotic automobiles the politicians will cruise next year in and out of the National Assembly.

Findings by Punch showed that at a series of discussions held over the choice of cars to buy, opinions were divided between buying Peugeot 508 and the 2015 model of Toyota Camry.

One official, who was a party to the discussions, said, “There is no dispute about the fact that new cars will be bought for the oversight duties of committees. Of course, they will be driven by members because they are the ones to carry out the oversight duties.

“But, there is no agreement as yet on the brand to buy. That has not been decided.

“Besides, the finances of the House may not accommodate the budget for the cars this year. So, the projection is that the vehicles will be bought in 2016.”

Investigations by Punch showed that while the majority of the over 223 new members of the House who are first-timers from June this year preferred Toyota Camry, some of the older members, including the leadership of the House, were said to have opted for Peugeot 508.

Checks by Punch put the factory price of Peugeot 508 at N9.5m per unit or N3.4bn for 360 units.

On the other hand, the Toyota Camry’s market price is about N12m or N4.3bn for 360 units.

A senior National Assembly told Punch on condition of anonymity that the new members reportedly opted for Camry because they believed its durability and “impressive presence.”

But, the leadership and some older members were said to have chosen the Peugeot 508 for the fact that it was assembled in Nigeria.

The source said, “Their position is that this is in the spirit of ‘made in Nigeria.’ They are looking at growing the Nigerian economy. They also feel this is a way of creating more job opportunities for Nigerians by buying locally-assembled cars.”

The Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, also confirmed to Punch that he was aware that “utility vehicles” would be bought for committee duties.

“I am not aware of cars for members, but I am aware of utility cars for the committees,” Gbajabiamila stated in a terse response to inquiries by Punch.

It was gathered that the 360 units were aside additional units to be procured for the services of the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yussuff Lasun; Gbajabiamila and other principal officers of the House.

-Punch