Yar’Adua overrules Kingibe on N1bn cars for ministers

16.01.2008

President Umaru Yar’Adua has overruled the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, over the purchase of N1 billion cars for ministers.

The SGF and the Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanusi Dagash, had defended the planned purchase of the cars, even as they insisted that the idea would not alter the monetisation policy.

The President, who made his position known in a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, on Tuesday, said that the decision to cancel the proposed purchase of cars was in line with the expert opinion given by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) on the issue.

President Yar’Adua said in the letter, dated January 10, that the government accepted the advice given by RMFAC that embarking on the purchase would violate some sections of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (salaries and allowances, etc) Act No. 6 of 2007.

“Mr. President of the Senate would recall that at the inception of this administration, the issue of procurement of vehicles for ministers and other political office holders was considered and government then thought it appropriate to purchase and provide dedicated official vehicles to ministers, special advisers and permanent secretaries. This was mooted in consideration of the nature of the functions of these aforementioned officers.

“However, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) has advised that embarking on this action would be tantamount to a breach of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (salaries and allowances, etc) Act N06 of 2007, a line which my administration is not willing to tow,” Yar’Adua said.