The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has described as insensitive the recent move by senators to acquire 108 Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps meant for every member.
The TUC in a statement on Monday described the decision as an act of criminality, wondering why the senators wanted to acquire new cars after collecting loans for the same purpose less than a year ago.
The statement, signed by Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, TUC President, and Comrade Simeso Amachree, the Acting Secretary General, reads: “Where did such idea emanate from for God’s sake at a time the country is bleeding from all sides and seriously gasping for breathe?
“This is obviously a pointer to the fact that our Senators means no well for the country. They have lost touch with the plight of the people that vote for them. Our politicians and their tradition of reaping where they did not sow! What would our Senators say they have achieved in the last one year?
“It is morally wrong and shameful for the Senate of the Federal Republic to attach so much importance to infinitesimal things like cars and houses at a time their counterparts elsewhere are making good laws and transforming lives.
“We do not know of any lawmaker both in the Red and Green Chamber that had not got cars before they came to the senate. Some have even been in the senate now for 12 years after serving as governors and lawmakers in their respective states.
“Where lies the conscience of our Senators? How come they are not disturbed by the effort of our president to revamp the economy? We are not going to let all these forces frustrate the effort of the Federal Government again, not any more.
“We want the Senate to immediately furnish Nigerians and the world how they got money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation. We view as demeaning and laughable the explanation by Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who said that Special Advisers drive jeeps, why not Senators?
“Oh, it is unfortunate this Senate is determined to frustrate the effort of the President Buhari led administration. What a Senate so reckless and arrogant!
“The Congress must as a matter of urgency commence investigation and prosecution of those involved in the transaction up to the supplier of the cars. We have set machinery in motion on how to stall the evils going on on the floor of the Senate. Haba, at first it was an amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act and now paltry issues like cars. But for greed and avarice, what cars haven’t they got? THE SENATE SHOULD GET PREPARED.”
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