House of Representatives deny reports of distributing cars to members

The House of Representatives has denied reports it is distributing
Toyota Camry cars to its members.  The Punch newspaper today published a
report with claims that the lawmakers have begun the distribution of
Toyota Camry cars to its members amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

However in a statement released by its spokesperson, Benjamin Kalu, the house described the report as ‘unfortunate’.

Read the statement in full below

It has come to the attention of the House of Representatives that a
newspaper report on Friday, March 27, 2020, had insinuated that the
Green Chamber is distributing official vehicles for the 360 members of
the House at this critical moment that the country is battling to
contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

This story is rather unfortunate at this time that Nigeria and
Nigerians are striving hard to address the pandemic that has forced the
Federal Government, and even the various states’ governments, to take
drastic measures.

Not only has the National assembly been closed since Tuesday the 24th
of March in the wake of the pandemic, but most lawmakers are also in
their constituencies.

As a House, we are not unmindful of the mood of the nation at this
critical time and are committed to ensuring the country stands united in
this trying times.

It is out of that commitment that the House on Tuesday, March 24,
2020, introduced and passed the Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill, 2020.
It is on record that the leadership of the National Assembly on
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, about 24 hours after adjournment, engaged
some top government officials in the Executive arm and approved the
release of N6.5BN for the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),
N10BN for Lagos state, as part of efforts to address the issue of
Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite adjourning for two weeks to curb the spread of the virus, the
House had expressed its readiness to reconvene at any time to consider
measures aimed at addressing the situation, including a review of the
2020 Appropriation Act, if need be.

We are committed, as lawmakers, to join hands with the Executive arm
to take measures aimed at containing the pandemic and providing succour
to Nigerians as a result of the economic shock necessitated by Covid-19
all over the world.

We, therefore, urge Nigerians to disregard the newspaper report on
the vehicles’ distribution as it is mischief taken too far. Just
yesterday, the same paper on its back page, claimed that the house
“closed shop and went on holiday” three weeks ago, a clear falsehood
that is common knowledge. The House only shut down 3 days ago and not
three weeks ago as falsely and mischievously reported. The paper chose
to ignore all the house did within this time, the special session on
addressing the high number of out of school children, intervening in the
strike action by FCT health workers, etc.

We also call on Nigerians to join hands with governments at all
levels in addressing the issue of Covid-19 pandemic. Let’s all adhere
strictly to the preventive measures taken by the government.

Signed:

Rep. Benjamin Kalu

Spokesman, House of Representatives,

National Assembly, Abuja.