THERE is a likely time bomb, if not properly detonated may spark crisis in the National Assembly, specifically the House of Representatives. This is because the current set of about 160 members of the green chambers awaiting the supply of the Peugeot 508 official and utility cars have rejected the vehicles because they are not brand new. Close National Assembly sources in the know of the contending car issues have told the Nigerian Pilot Weekend that much of the bickering why the members rejected the vehicles and requested N17million which is the cost of one brand was that the latest supplies were already used. It was learnt from the top legislative officer that some members or their senior legislative aides who have been asked to go to the Maitama garage, near the residence of the former speaker of the House and now Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, where the vehicles are parked have vehemently refused the cars due to their poor state and condition. According to the impeccable source, “The one that was allocated to my boss, which I was asked to deliver of, was already used. It was used from where it was brought from. In the year
of make, what we found was 2015 instead of 2017 model” Continuing, he argued that “the vehicle is not completely new. The tires are old and the jack already used, he also narrated, adding that the vehicle seat belt carries a 2015 manufacturing emblem instead of 2017, the present year the vehicles are been delivered” From the members affected, it is learnt that it is the same problem to the extent that they resorted in asking that the actual cost of the car (N17m) be remitted to them in lieu of the prevailing circumstances. This frustration however this paper gathered is brewing some ill feelings among the members, especially as they have uncovered that both the leadership and those on management side who awarded the contracts were being insincere or have something to hide which is why the cars cannot be monetized. Checks by this paper has however revealed that the members often time have been directed to meet the Clerk of the House to sort out the issue, especially the monetization aspect but that he too is handicapped and unable to raise such funds when also it was not him as Clerk of the green chambers who midwife the awards and the entire purchase process. The dilly dally is said to be piling up and could soon degenerate into a bottled up fury that could engulf and unsettle both the management and the political leadership of the House of Representatives. It will be recalled that the House of Representatives is spending about N6.1 billion on procurement of 360 units of Peugeot 508 for members, at a unit price of N17 million. The cars have been coming in
batches since December 2015. As at August this year, about 200 units had been distributed to members. Recall too that majority of those yet to get their official cars prefer to be given cash, in lieu of the cars, essentially because the cars are not brand new ones but “tokunbo”, a member who spoke in the guise of anonymity also confided in this paper.

Naija we hail thee!

NASS is a cesspit of corruption and they know themselves and Dont trust each other when it comes to things like this.

After the "Tokunbo" vehicles have been supplied, they now want it monetized because they can't drive "Tokunbo" cars.

so if they monetize the cars for them what will happen to the ones that has supplied.

were the cars brought from abroad? I thought PAN had revived its assembly plant in the country. so why the Tokunbo status.

why not patronise innoson ?

Nigeria is really an unfortunate country.

There is no where yiu can find a 2017 508 for 17 million and thats the truth