Obasa

By Eromosele Ebhomele.

The Lagos State Government is to spend N352.9 million on 20 cars for lawmakers of the state House of Assembly.

The House approved the amount as sent by the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade.

In a letter sent to the House and read on Monday by the Assembly Clerk, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru, the commissioner said: “the 2015 appropriation law directs that any expenditure above N200 million from the special expenditure fund should seek and obtain the approval of this honourable House.

“I wish to request the approval for the utilisation of special expenditure fund to the sum of N352. 9 million. The funds are to be used for the purchase of official vehicles and other accessories for the 20 first-term honourable members of the eighth Assembly.”

In reaction to the letter, Chief Whip of the House, Rotimi Abiru, urged the House to give the request an express approval.

Contributing, Rotimi Olowo, who represents Somolu Constituency I, added that such approval would help the new members of the Assembly to enjoy the benefits of the office they occupy.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, in his own contribution, commended the patience of members since the inauguration of the eighth Assembly.

Obasa said: “On behalf of the state, I want to thank you for your patience that six months after inauguration of the 8th assembly, you have not been given official vehicles. We thank you for your endurance.”

He then called for a voice vote where it was unanimously agreed that the amount be approved. Obasa thereafter directed the Clerk to convey the approval to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
It is not yet known if there are plans to also buy cars for the old members of the House.