₦40B FOR LAWMAKER VEHICLES

The Senate and House of Representatives are set to allocate more than N40 billion to acquire vehicles for lawmakers in the National Assembly. The procurement will consist of 107 units of the 2023 model Toyota Land Cruiser for the Senate and 358 units of the 2023 model Toyota Prado for the House of Representatives. Notably, this purchase is distinct from the official vehicles intended for the four presiding officers of the National Assembly: President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass; Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

The Senate Committee on Services, responsible for acquiring vehicles for lawmakers, will oversee the negotiations and delivery. The Committee was formed by Senate President Akpabio, with Senator Sunday Karimi from Kogi West as its head. Although the Committee will collaborate with the National Assembly's management, the purchase remains the sole responsibility of the Senate.

The 2023 model of Toyota Land Cruiser is priced at a minimum of N125 million, with the full option reaching up to N135 million. The vehicles are designed for excellent on-road performance, equipped with four-wheel drive, center locking, terrain camera view, and various off-road features. Interior features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10-speaker audio system, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, quad-zone climate control, wireless charging, and a head-up display.

Additionally, the Senate Committee on Services will also handle the procurement of two bulletproof vehicles for Senator Akpabio and two for his deputy, Senator Barau. The cost of a 2023 model bulletproof vehicle exceeds N300 million. Some members of the House of Representatives believe that upgrading to Prado jeeps would be appropriate since senators are already using Toyota Land Cruisers.