Nigerians Kick Against N110b Budget For Lawmakers Bulletproof Vehicles and palliatives - Paul Ukpabio's Blog

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Monday 17 July 2023

Nigerians Kick Against N110b Budget For Lawmakers Bulletproof Vehicles and palliatives

By Paul Ukpabio 

It seems like the present day lawmakers may have chosen the wrong time to decide to go to town and paint it all red, with their screamng budget of a whooping N40b for bulletproof cars for themselves! And N70b for palliatives for new members!

Well, latest news has it that Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to drop plan to spend N40 billion on 465 bulletproof cars for members and principal officials, and N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members.

And that is not all, SERAP has called on the lawmakers to repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act, reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110 billion, reflect on current economic realities in the country, and address impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on poor Nigerians!

The fight looks big just as N110b is huge!

So we asked some Nigerians what they think about this proposed expenditure by the 10th National Assembly. 

Below are some of the responses we received;

"If they like let them put on bulletproof shirt, trouser and shoes, if they don't do the right thing, death awaits them."

- Evangelist Ogidan Bankole

Like Evangelist Ogidan Bankole, many of the respondents showed apathy about government, its officials and their possible activities. A lot replied:

 "What concerns me? Even if I talk, they still do what they want to do!"

Read more opinions below:

"This is very sad and annoying. Yet, they are suffering the Masses. God has the ultimate judgement"

- Tessy, Journalist

"Even if we said it's wrong, they would still go ahead to buy it, it doesn't make any sense to them if you oppose it, so let them go ahead and buy it. When death comes let them use bullet-proof car to defend themselves from dying."

- Zanuu Thomas, Businessman

"It's highly ridiculous! They're thoughtless it seems"

- Samuel, Teacher

"To buy cars! This is Nigeria! If you are not happy with it, let's go to court!"

- Chinelo, Publisher 

"Nigeria is a Zoo country truly, these are the people drinking pure water and eating roasted corns with Nigerians on the streets during campaign. Now, the same people are the ones that will not even have access to them again not to talk of going near their cars. We never learnt lessons at all. No wahala.

"N110 billion bulletproof cars for legislators of less than 450 and N500 billion for over 12 million Nigerians as palliative?. 

"With all sincerity, I am.one of those that goes against the people with Japa syndrome but going by the look of things, we need to ask ourselves, does the government really mean well for the citizens? The answer is No.

- Omololu, Journalist

"Are they going to war with Bokoharam? They don't think of those who are struggling for survival. They should stop business as usual please, people who knows those guys at National Assembly and Reps should please tell them not to bring down Nigeria totally, they should have it in their mind that what ever they do today is going to speak for them tomorrow

"I've  never seen this type of country we find ourselves, all the people we are just putting hope on, are all our enemies. What are we going to do, God should please have mercy on us.

- Mr. Mathew, Security Official 

"Na wa o for our senators o. Bullet proof cars?"

- Wole, Journalist 

"This must be a joke! At this time when we should do away with profligacy and waste of public funds? The economy cannot receive the much needed boost and reposition if this is carried out. We are merely paying lip service to fighting corruption. Not necessarily, if adequate security is given to the masses. This sounds like they created this insecurity themselves so as to use it to siphon money.

"The poor masses have suffered enough, Government should reduce suffering in the land not by giving more to those already rich and wealthy but make life bearable for common man. This bullet-proof cars is one of the anti-people policy, it entrenches corruption and mismanagement of public funds.

- Adewale Elisha Adeyanju, Public Relations Officer, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos State

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