FG Defends N1.4bn Expenditure on Procurement of Vehicle For Niger Republic, Approves Funds to Boost Security in FCT

The Federal Government has defended the expenditure of the sum of one point four billion naira for the purchase of vehicles for Niger Republic.

This Follows the outrage generated by the measure exposed by a popular social media influencer, David Hundeyin. On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, explained that even though Nigerians have the right to question President Muhammadu Buhari, who approved the purchase, he also has the right to make his own assessment of situations an act accordingly.

During a media chat with State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed said that this was not the first time Nigeria is supporting her neighbours.

Ahmed said, “Let me just say that, over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us.

“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their president and such requests are approved and the interventions provided is to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria.

“Nigerians have a right to ask questions, but also the President has a responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interests of the country. And I cannot question that decision.”

The contract to supply the 10 units of Toyota Land Cruisers was awarded to IFO Kaura Motors Nig. Limited.

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello Says the Council approved over Two billion naira for the procurement of utility vehicles for security agencies in the nation’s capital.

The Minister added that approval which was ractified at the FEC meeting also includes funds for installing communication gadgets in the vehicles. “Council approved the procurement of security vehicles to support the operations of our security agencies in the FCT.

They are about 60 utility vehicles awarded to Coscharis motors Ltd with communication gadgets to be installed at a cost of N1.83billion. “Also an additional approval of N847million for the purchase of gadgets was awarded to Messrs E & S, bringing the total amount approved to N2,682,248,378,52,” Bello stated. The minister however said the approval is not connected with the prevailing insecurity in the country, especially within the Federal Capital Territory.

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