Nigeria’s president has signed a controversial invoice that earmarks $6.1 million for a presidential yacht and tens of millions extra for sport utility autos for his spouse and different prime authorities officers
ByDYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN Related Press
November 9, 2023, 7:34 AM
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a supplementary finances earmarking tens of millions of {dollars} for a presidential yacht and sport utility autos for his spouse and prime authorities officers has once more stoked anger amongst atypical Nigerians over what they see as a rising financial disparity.
Tinubu on Wednesday signed into regulation the finances that allocates $38 million for the presidential air fleet and different renovations. Some $6.1 million budgeted earlier for the the yacht was assigned by lawmakers to “pupil loans” – with the senate’s approval.
The nation’s navy stated it had taken supply of the yacht, however “it has not been paid for.”
Presidential spokesperson Anjuri Ngelale defended the supplemental finances as serving to “strengthen Nigeria’s safety structure and handle Nigeria’s vital infrastructure deficit, amongst different issues.”
The spokesperson stated about 30% of the cash could be spent on safety, and one other 35% on “provision of vital infrastructure.”
Not too long ago, the nation’s 460-member nationwide meeting confirmed that every one lawmakers will get every a brand new SUV reportedly at a value of greater than $150,000 every. The lawmakers stated the autos would assist them do their work higher.
Nigeria, one of many world’s poorest international locations, is at present seeing food costs proceed to soar to report highs. Additionally hovering is the frustration of atypical Nigerians who see politicians earn enormous salaries whereas others like medical professionals typically need to go on strike to protest meager wages.
“It’s by the grace of God that I can eat. It’s exhausting,” stated Nduka Omeje, a dealer in Apo resettlement in Nigeria’s capital metropolis, Abuja.
Labor unions struggled to get the federal government to lift the minimal wage for civil servants from a month-to-month $67 a month. The 2019 got here after employees staged protests.