State House Defends N5.9 Billion Vehicle Spending as Senators Demand Justification

In the midst of Nigeria’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in recent memory, the State House has come under intense scrutiny for spending a staggering N5.9 billion on the purchase of vehicles. The country’s economic challenges, largely driven by policies like the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, have caused food prices to soar by over 200%, leaving millions struggling to make ends meet. Yet, the State House proceeded with the hefty expenditure in 2024, raising questions about the appropriateness of such spending.

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Special Duties interrogated the State House over its allocation of N3.9 billion for operational vehicles and an additional N2 billion for replacing its fleet of SUVs in 2024. The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, appeared before the committee to defend the budgetary allocations for these purchases.

Fashedemi explained that the State House was initially allocated N4 billion to purchase operational vehicles, with N3.9 billion subsequently released for that purpose. Additionally, N2 billion was appropriated for the replacement of SUVs, which was also fully disbursed. However, senators were not convinced by the justification for these purchases, questioning the necessity of acquiring new operational vehicles and replacing the SUVs.

Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central demanded to know the specifics of the purchases, including the types, models, and quantities of vehicles acquired. He also asked for clarification on the need to replace the SUVs.

“What kind of vehicles are we talking about, and how many of them are purchased? What is the model?” Ningi asked. “And what is the rationale for replacing the SUVs?”

Senator Aminu Abbas of Adamawa Central further criticized the spending report, calling it “deceitful” and accusing the State House of misleading the committee. He expressed disbelief at the report’s claim of 100% utilization, despite the fact that less than five percent of the budget was actually released for the vehicles.

“You can’t release less than five percent, and you tell us 100% utilization performance. I don’t know who prepared this,” Abbas remarked. “It is deceit.”

The senators demanded a clearer breakdown of the operational vehicles and SUVs, asking for distinctions to be made between the two categories, and for full transparency on the spending.

In response, Fashedemi, who assumed his role as Permanent Secretary only last month, explained that the vehicle purchases were included in the approved 2024 budget. As such, he argued that the State House had no choice but to carry out the procurements, asserting that the expenditure followed the proper budgetary process.

The lawmakers appeared somewhat satisfied with this explanation, with Committee Chairman Kaka Shehu urging Fashedemi to ensure a cooperative relationship between the State House and the legislature moving forward. Shehu noted that previous State House management had failed to maintain such a relationship with the committee.

The controversy over the N5.9 billion spent on vehicles highlights growing concerns over government spending in a time of deepening poverty in Nigeria, where many citizens are struggling with the effects of economic policies that have dramatically increased the cost of living.