Lagos spends N200m on cars for monarchs

Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos - 12.05.2008

Lagos State government has spent over N200 million to buy cars for royal fathers, white cap chiefs and Wawu of Badagry in the last one year, a source at the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has revealed.

However, the Commissioner in the ministry, Prince Rotimi Agunloye, discredited the claim, stating that only the office of the state governor could give the cost of the cars.

“If you want to know how much we procured the cars, you have to go to the governor’s office. This is the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. We did not buy the cars,” he said.

The commissioner said government provided the cars for the royal fathers to enhance their standard of living and not for political reasons.

According to Agunloye, the state government had only provided Toyota Corrola 1.8 model cars for all white cap chief of Lagos and Wawu of Badagry.

He said the government also provided five Mercedes Benz Avant Garde 240 series to the Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the Council of Obas, while 42 Toyota Camry 2007 model were provided for first class monarchs in the state.

The commissioner also stated that the state government provided 33 Toyota Avensis cars to second class monarchs while some recognised title holders were being considered for the largesse.

Investigation revealed that a brand new Toyota Corrola, 1.8 model could cost as much as N2 million while Toyota Camry 2007 model goes for between N2.5 and N3 million and each of the Mercedes Benz Avant Garde 240 series is sold for N3 million.

According to a motor dealer, a Toyota Avensis car is sold for about N2 million and can be higher depending on the grade.