In the midst of ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, the National Assembly leadership is moving forward with plans to distribute 40 Prado Jeep SUVs to outgoing Commissioners of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), according to SaharaReporters. This decision has ignited controversy, particularly among PCC staff, who see it as an imprudent allocation of resources during such difficult economic times.
SaharaReporters’ investigation reveals that a single 2022 model Prado Jeep costs between N70 million and N100 million, bringing the total cost of 40 vehicles to at least N2.8 billion. According to anonymous sources within the commission, these commissioners were appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2021 for a three-year term.
The SUVs were procured under the 2022 budget, and after just two years of use, they are being handed over to the commissioners at a significantly reduced price of N5 million per vehicle.
A PCC staff member, speaking anonymously, expressed concern over this expenditure, calling it a blatant example of wasteful spending under the current administration. The staff member also highlighted that a new set of 38 commissioners has been appointed, necessitating the purchase of another 40 SUVs next year.
“These SUVs were acquired in 2022 for the commissioners, who were appointed in 2021. Their term ended in July 2024, meaning they have only used the vehicles for about two years. Yet, these vehicles are being onboarded to them at a mere N5 million each, facilitated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” the source revealed.
The source further questioned how a Prado Jeep, used for just two years, could be sold for as low as N5 million. The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, chaired by Hon. Mike Etaba, has repeatedly called for the return of these vehicles, following petitions from PCC staff and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). However, despite widespread opposition, the Speaker, Hon. Tajudden Abbas, appears intent on allowing the commissioners to keep the vehicles.
The source also noted that with the appointment of 37 new commissioners and a Chief Commissioner, the commission will need to allocate approximately N3 billion to purchase new SUVs for them in 2025.
“So much for cutting the cost of governance,” lamented the aggrieved staff member.
According to a SaharaReporters Google search, the Toyota Prado Txl 2.7L AT sells for N70 million, the Toyota Prado Vx 4.0L AT goes for N77 million, the Toyota Rav4 2.4L Leather for N51 million, and the Toyota Rush Leather for N36 million in the Nigerian market. Second-hand Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2022 models are priced from N9,470,000, while the 2020 models start from N13,200,000.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel here.
Are these people really doing all these things or it’s just media cosim trying to understand how humans can be so wicked and inhuman