N’Assembly to spend N40bn on 465 Bulletproof cars, SUVs for Akpabio, Others

The National Assembly will spend over N40 billion to purchase 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives.

The vehicles to be purchased for the use of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives include 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass; Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu are to get bulletproof cars.

Market survey shows that the least amount for a 2023 model of Toyota Land Cruiser is N125 million while full option of the same brand goes for as high as N135 million.

In 2019, the Senate spent N50 million on each vehicle at the dollar exchange rate N306.

A dollar currently exchanges for at least N770 in both at official and parallel markets.

A car dealer who gave a breakdown of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), said the 2023 model will come with the updated adaptive variable suspension for quality rides.

“The on-road quality will be made smoother than ever. All the trims will come with four-wheel drive, centre locking, terrain camera view, and many other off-road features,” the car dealer told Sun.

“Features you’ll find in the new model include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 10-speaker audio system, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, Heated and Ventilated front seats, Quad-zone climate control, Wireless Charging and Head-up display,” he added.

The Senate Committee on Services is also expected to handle the purchase of two bulletproof vehicles for Akpabio and two for his deputy, Barau.

The car dealer put the amount needed to purchase a bulletproof vehicle produced in 2023 at over N300 million. He said the price may go up if the current naira regime does not improve.

It was gathered that some members of the House are of the opinion that since senators are using Toyota Landcruiser, it would not be out of place for Reps members to get Prado jeeps.

In the 9th Assembly, members of the Green chamber used Toyota Camry 2019 as their official cars.