FG purchases N1.14bn worth of vehicles for Niger republic to help the country tackle insecurity
- Amid paucity of funds and dwindling revenue, the federal government has churned over N1bn to purchase vehicles for the Niger republic
- The money is part of government efforts to support neighbouring countries in its fight against insecurity
- Despite the backlash on the purchase, the Zainab Minister of Finance has defended the decision
The Federal Government has purchased vehicles worth N1.4 billion to help Niger tackle insecurity.
Channels TV reports that the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to statehouse correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting today, August 3.
According to Ahmed, providing intervention to the neighbouring Niger Republic is not new, and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari, who approved the purchase.
Source: Facebook
She mentioned that President Buhari, whose actions she cannot question, has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly.
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She added that the financial support, primarily for enhancing capacity to protect their territory, based on a Nigerien government request, is also in the country's best interest.
Earlier today, a document from the government granting the approval for the purchase of the vehicles surfaced online.
Details of the purchase
On June 15, 2022, the details of how President Muhammadu Buhari’s government approved the sum of N1.15 billion for the procurement of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles for officials of the Niger Republic with public funds from Nigeria.
The information which was reported to have been gotten from the ‘appropriations’ page of the Finance Ministry’s website showed that in July 2022, N1,145,000,000 was approved for payment to Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited to supply the SUVs.
It also revealed that the President had approved the disbursement in February 2022.
This news was greeted with angry reactions from Nigerians who argued that funding a foreign entity should not be the government’s priority amid the harsh economic realities
Mr Macaroni laments hard life in Nigeria
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the not-so-friendly economy got to Nigerian celebrities, voicing out how they feel.
Popular comedian Mr Macaroni, who seemed to be getting loads of people asking him for giveaways, voiced out about the calls.
The funnyman declared that anyone who asked him to do a giveaway during this period might be after his life. Nigerians reacted differently to his post.
Source: Legit.ng
