The federal lawmaker representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has responded to criticisms over the entitlements of senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The debate follows public backlash over lawmakers’ benefits, including official vehicles and other allowances.
Speaking during a recent interview, Umeh defended the privileges, questioning why senators should not be provided with official vehicles for their duties.
“Why won’t I get a vehicle for performing official function? Are you not seeing people in the executive arm of government having fleets of vehicles?” he said.
He added, “If the only way Nigeria can be good is for senators to be trekking to work, then I don’t think we’re being serious.”
Reacting to the Federal High Court ruling in Lagos which voided the proposed N40 billion vehicle procurement for lawmakers and N70 billion in allowances, Umeh stated that enforcement of the judgment lies with the plaintiff, SERAP, urging the group to take steps to execute the ruling.