Salary-owing Ebonyi governor splashes exotic cars on shameless lawmakers
By Rotimi Akinola
In a seeming show of absolute disrespect for the people of Ebonyi State, governor David Umahi reportedly borrowed N1.27 billion on behalf of the state, purchased luxurious cars and gifted them to state lawmakers.
While unpaid Ebonyi workers and pensioners starve to limbo, Umahi allegedly suggested it was better to have lawmakers — because they are “the face of the state” — enjoy on behalf of the masses.
“I was the person who put myself under pressure to go about the loan to purchase these cars and not the lawmakers,” Umahi was quoted to have said while handing 2016 Prado SUVs to shamelessly jubilant State House of Assembly members in Abakaliki on Thursday.
“No matter how hungry we are, the House of Assembly remains the pride of a state.
“If they are called for meeting with lawmakers from other states, they must not alight from taxis.
Birds of a feather: “Nigeria is broke,” President Muhammadu Buhari and his goons keep saying. But they signed a budget in which exotic cars were given to federal lawmakers.
“We will not celebrate poverty and nobody will give you anything for being poor. People may say oh, sorry, he is suffering, but that does not take you anywhere. They are just mocking you. So, what we celebrate is the wealth of God.
“We got a soft loan from the supplier and the loan is without any interest and the payment is spread for four month.
“And I challenge anybody to find out where you can get this vehicle at the cost we got it and to be paid within four months after supply”, Umahi was quoted to have said.
But guess who haven’t been paid for a while now…workers and pensioners.
In June, Umahi drew public rage after using state funds to purchase luxury cars for former state governors.
Martin Elechi, one of the former governors rejected the N23 million gift. Others did not. The gifts were approved by state lawmakers who have now received their own shares.
Congratulations to all Nigerians who call Ebonyi “home”. We’re glad your lawmakers won’t take taxis to national meetings.
The outrageous gifts come at a time governments the world over are being told to cut unnecessary spending due to lingering economic crunch.
Unfortunately, Umahi is not alone.
In June, Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai — who happens to be one of the faces of “change” — distributed two new cars to each state lawmaker.
Despite dwindling crude oil fortunes from which these states are majorly funded, creamy goodies continue to flow to Nigerian elites while the masses are left with crusty crumbs.
“Nigeria is broke,” President Muhammadu Buhari and his goons keep saying. But they signed a budget in which exotic cars were given to federal lawmakers.
New cars given by Ebonyi State Governor to lawmakers. Ebonyi Govt owes workers salaries & pensions. #AskQuestions pic.twitter.com/bmVPZCNB2j
— BudgIT Nigeria (@BudgITng) July 9, 2016
Buhari also awarded billions to upgrade an Aso Rock clinic, while hospitals used by Nigerians continue to take instead of save lives.
To cut spending, the president abolished the payment of subsidies on petroleum driving the cost of living for most Nigerians haywire..
