http://9jaflave..com/2013/10/minister-aviation-stella-oduah-bulletproof-bmw-cars-corruption.html

In the recent week, much dust has been raised about the purchase of bullet-proof vehicles valued at a whopping $1.6m (about N225m) for the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The whistle was blown by Sahara Reporters.

Stakeholders in the aviation industry and civil society groups have called on the nation’s anti-corruption agencies to investigate the purchase. Also social commentators have called for the sack and probe of the Minister.

The embattled minister was said to have mandated the NCAA, an agency under her supervision, to procure the two black BMW 760 Li HSS vehicles for her.

According to Sahara reporters: Vista BMW in Coconut Creek in Florida says a fully armored BMW 760 Li car built to withstand AK 47-7.62x39 ammo and lower caliber weapons costs only $162, 195.
Also, a quote provided by the armored car ballistic division of the International Armoring Corporation in Centerville, Utah revealed that each of the BMW cars could have been provided to the NCAA for $200,000 plus the cost of shipping to Nigeria.
Compare to the cost of $800,000 for each BMW car purchased from Coscharis motors. Scandalous!

Oduah, speaking through her Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Joe Obi, said the vehicles were acquired to protect her from imminent external threats. This justification, however, failed to enlist the sympathy of Nigerians.

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, in a reference to the development, described it as “obscene luxury.” The former Vice-President (Africa) of the World Bank said in a post on her Twitter page that it was wrong for those at the helms of affairs to draw heavily on public funds while in government.

Arguing that such extravagance in government was uncalled for, Ezekwesili said despite facing “greater threats” when she held sway as the head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit of the Presidency, compared with Oduah’s, she didn’t acquire expensive cars at public expense.

Winner of the Economics and Business Awards category of the 2013 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award, Tolu Ogunlesi, said prioritising the acquisition of 2 bulletproof cars at the cost of N255m is an “overwhelming act of foolishness and irresponsibility.”

Ogunlesi, who is also a political blogger, said he is “pissed off” by Oduah’s action and argued that even United States President Barack Obama’s official limo — ‘The Beast’ — as well as British Prime Minister’s official Jaguar costs far less than what Oduah acquired.

“You don’t need to be an activist to be pissed off with Stella Oduah and this overwhelming act of foolishness and irresponsibility. Barack Obama’s official limo — ‘The Beast’ — reportedly costs about $300,000. David Cameron’s official Jaguar (terrorist-proof) reportedly cost about £200,000. Even then the Brits are complaining.

“How then does a Nigerian Minister use a $750k on one official car? I'm not saying she shouldn't buy armoured cars; public officials in Nigeria need all the security they can get, but the issue is $1.5m on two cars in a country where the planes and airports run on luck pisses one off big time.”

This[b] 'indefensible spending spree'[/b] is likely a tip of the iceberg of the financial recklessness and irresponsibility in government circles. It would make perfect sense for President Jonathan to demand her resignation to save his administration from further embarrassment.

If the embattled Minister is allowed to retain her cabinet position, we certainly cannot convince the international community of our seriousness in stamping out corruption. Hope the president will act, if Princess Stella refuses to walk the honorable path of resignation.

Go to link below for more
http://9jaflave..com/2013/10/minister-aviation-stella-oduah-bulletproof-bmw-cars-corruption.html