The Labour Party has called on lawmakers on the platform of the party to kick against unnecessary wastage of resources and reject the official vehicles worth N160 million purchased for the members of the House of Representatives.
The National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure in a statement issued Tuesday said it was saddening that with deepening poverty among Nigerians, the administration has decided to increase its appetite for a life of opulence to mock hardworking but underprivileged Nigerians.
The party also expressed shock and disappointment at the level of insensitivity being displayed by the executive and the legislative arms of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Abure noted that these vehicles would be costing Nigerians about N57.6 billion, adding that this was happening at a time when the government claims it cannot afford to increase the minimum wage of N30,000 monthly to workers.
He noted that a bag of 50 kg rice today is N50,000 and most families cannot afford two square meals a day.
Abure noted: “How else can any government justify the bloated Federal Executive Council of 48 cabinet ministers, with each of them given three luxurious four-wheel drive vehicles on the first day in office, paid for and fueled by taxpayers? This is notwithstanding hundreds of presidential and ministerial aides, as well as numerous aides to the aides which are being funded by the government.
“As things stand today, inflation is likely to hit 30 per cent by December, 2023, yet all they are concerned about is the comfort of a privileged few who found themselves in public office.
“Why spend so much money on the import of and purchase of vehicles from other nations amidst the scarcity of needed foreign exchange for manufacturing? Why not empower local manufacturers such as Innoson Motor in Anambra and Peugeot Automobiles in Kaduna to save forex and boost our local economy?
“How insensitive can a Government become? This same government is still going round the world cap in hand seeking for loans, what a shame!”
“We are also calling on the Labour Party legislators in the 10th Assembly to kick against this unnecessary wastage of resources in line with the ideology of the party which is social justice and equal opportunity for all.”
Abure noted that Nigerians would hold them responsible if they fail to live above board or give proper account of the electoral investment reposed in them, adding that Nigerians are fed up with the status quo and they crave for a different leadership that must factor the interest of the