The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has described the 469 cars federal lawmakers plan to buy as a misplaced priority.
We are pained by the fact that it appears the lawmakers do not really know the task before them and the country.
To begin with, for over two months now running the country has been experiencing chronic fuel scarcity such that has never been heard of before. The free-fall of the naira, poor health facilities, glorified primary schools as universities, closure of manufacturing companies, insecurity of lives and properties, which essentially is caused by unemployment, etc. Our case has become so deplorable that we have now become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.
Where is even the conscience of the so-called lawmakers? Where are the good roads to drive cars? Why is it that the privileged in this country do not even consider the less-privileged? Lawmakers ride in public transportation in most developed countries to attend to state matters, despite the affluence of their country. The reason our leaders do ridiculous things beats our imagination.
It will be recalled that the National Assembly members had, in August, collected between N7m and N8m as car loans. But they said the 469 cars that they planned to buy would be used for oversight functions by members of the National Assembly. N47.5bn for only cars is senseless and peak of insensitivity and we support President Buhari to stand his ground on the issue. We are definitely not against the President holding a closed-door meeting with the lawmakers but all we are saying is NO to such frivolous expences.
Some have argued that the National Assembly go away with their official vehicles after four years, having paid the current value to government coffers. But we wanted something different hence Nigerians voted for change. It just does not make any sense contemplating buying cars with almost 40 per cent of government annual budget. We just do hope the lawmakers mean well for the country.
Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama
President, TUC
Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal
Secretary General, TUC
