Enugu Workers Express Outrage Over SUV Purchase For State Lawmakers, Commissioners

IfeanyiWorkers in Enugu State under the aegis of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, have criticized the decision of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to procure Toyota Prado sport utility vehicles worth N11.5m each for members of the House of Assembly and commissioners in the state.

The Enugu State House of Assembly comprises of 24 members just as the state’s executive cabinet has 24 commissioners.

The workers expressed outrage over the development in a letter dated October 22, which was addressed to the governor.

The letter was signed by both the state chairman of the council, Mr. Chukwuma Igbokwe, and the secretary, Mr. Theo Obasiani.

In the letter titled, “Re: Procurement of Prado jeep for honourable members of Enugu State House of Assembly and honourable commissioners”, the workers said the procurement of the exotic vehicles did not reflect the dire economic situation in the state.

“We wish to refer to the procurement of Prado jeep to honourable members and top government functionaries to enhance performance of their duties even after the implementation of the monetisation policy.

“It is not out of place to give official vehicles to honourable members and top government functionaries to enhance the performance of their duties; the official vehicles usually reflect the economy of the state.

“The harvest of Prado jeeps at this point of economic recession caused by the crash of oil prices does not speak well of the state in the light of economic management and austerity regime even when your Excellency described the state as a ‘kwashiorkor’ state”, the workers said.

The furious workers added that the listed value of the vehicles procured for the state’s commissioners and lawmakers exceeded the amount approved for the same purpose by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

“The amounts for car loans for legislators as listed by the RMAFC are N8.5m, N7.9m and N5.3m for senators, House of Representatives members and state assembly members respectively”, the workers said in the letter.

The letter added, “Whereas a civil servant that served this state for over 30 years and retired over five years has yet to be paid his gratuity, political office holders who worked for four years, get jumbo salaries and other allowances, free Prado vehicles and severance allowance.

“Giving free Prado vehicles when the state is paying the least salary to its workers with a backlog of gratuities and other outstanding salaries is an action that will generate a serious industrial crisis in the state”.