The Nigerian government has explained reasons it spent a whooping N1.15 billion for the purchase of 10 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) for Niger Republic.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed made the disclosure to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
According to her, the expenditure was to empower the country to safeguard its territory for Nigeria’s security interests.
“Let me just say that, over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us.
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their president and such requests are approved and the interventions provided is to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria.
“Nigerians have a right to ask questions, but also the President has a responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interest of the country. And I cannot question that decision,” the Minister said.
An online news medium on Wednesday, revealed that President Buhari approved N1.15 billion to purchase 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles for the Nigerien government.
The details, obtained from the Ministry’s website, showed that N1,145,000,000 was approved for payment to Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited to supply the SUVs to Niger Republic in July 2022.
