The office of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has
issued the statement below to respond to an exclusive story by PREMIUM
TIMES, that Mr Saraki has taken delivery of new cars, worth over
N300million.
READ OUR INITIAL STORY HERE http://dlvr.it/Kd9Ttc
Read full statement below.
“Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said only his
official vehicle, a MercedezBenz, was changed and that the spare car in
the convoy is the old one he inherited and has been using since he
assumed office June last year. Senate president, Bukola Saraki
“Reacting to the claim by Premium Times that the Senate President has
taken delivery of vehicles worth N330m, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Special
Adviser, stated that it was wrong for Premium Times to classify vehicles
provided for security agencies like the police and State Security
Service by the National Assembly management for their operations as
vehicles bought for the Senate President.
“It is an obvious fact that the official and spare cars that the
Senate President inherited and has been using are old and have been
malfunctioning. There are instances like the day Dr. Saraki visited
Keffi for the marriage of the daughter of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and
another day at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport that the spare vehicle broke down. In both instances, the spare
vehicle did not return home with the convoy. The same vehicle had
malfunctioned at the Presidential Villa and National Mosque on different
occasions. It is for this reason that the Senate President approved
that instead of providing two vehicles for him as he is entitled, only
one should be bought to replace the official vehicle while the old
official car should be converted to spare car.
“Also, if the National Assembly Management chose to provide
operational vehicles for Security Agencies, should that be presented as
if they are personal or official vehicles meant for the use of Dr.
Saraki? These are vehicles that cannot be used for other purposes and by
other people. The Senate President also have no control over the
security vehicles.
“it is also surprising that despite the fact that Premium Times in
the same story reported that the order for the vehicle was made in
December, it chose to calculate the value of the vehicles based on
current exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar. This is obviously a
mischief aimed at making the figure look huge and justify the screaming
headline.
“The press should avoid deliberately inciting members of the public
against public officials. The Senate President and his colleagues are
conscious of the economic situation in the country and will continue to
act responsibly and responsively.
“Just last week, Dr. Saraki was informed that the Ministry of FCT in
its 2016 budget proposed a N6 billion estimate for the construction of
the official residence of the Senate President. He outrightly rejected
the proposal and directed Senator Dino Melaye, Chairman, Senate
Committee on FCT to bring down the cost to one billion Naira. He said
that it should be made known to the Ministry that if it cannot construct
the building with N1 billion then they should leave out the project
entirely till after his tenure. He said he will rather stay in his
present abode. Senator Melaye had already acted as instructed as
indicated in the report his committee presented to the Appropriation
Committee.
“It should therefore be noted that if Dr. Saraki can demonstrate
frugality and responsible leadership in a matter that saved the country
so much money, how can it then be presented as if purchase of cars is a
big issue that he cares so much about? Those who know the antecedent of
the Senate President know that there is no type of vehicle that can
excite him at this stage in his life”, Olaniyonu stated.
Signed
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President
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