The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed on Wednesday confirmed that the Nigerian government donated cars to her neighbour Niger Republic, while also maintaining that President Buhari has every right and power to do so.
Basic Facts
- Fielding questions from journalists after the federal executive council meetings in Abuja on Wednesday, Zainab confirmed that the president approved the 1.14 billion Naira for purchase of cars to Niger Republic.
- She also stated that it was within the right of the President to make such donations as he deems fit.
- The Minister`s justification of this donation, which has caused outrage nationwide comes amidst excruciating debt burden grinding the country to a halt in so many areas.
Takeaway
Zainab Ahmed further argued that even though Nigerians have the right to question the rationale for such donation, President Muhammadu Buhari, who approved the purchase, also has the right to make his own assessment on situations and act accordingly.
Catch-up
Clariform recalls that the approval of this donation was exposed on Wednesday by a popular social media influencer, David Hundeyin and reported by Clariform on the same Wednesday.
The revelation was widely condemned as unjustifiable, irresponsible and wrongly timed.
Nigeria is currently finding it difficult to meet it debt servicing and repayment for loans owned both locally and to foreign debtors.
ASUU and other varsity workers have been on strike for over 5 months now, without any hope of resumption date, owing to inability of government to meet its financial obligation to the University and education sector.
Clariform further reminds our readers that this present revelation comes in the wake of previous largesse to Niger Republic by the Nigeria Ministry of Transportation.
The former Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi had awarded a railway contract to extend railway tracks to Maradi in Niger Republic, when more than two third of Nigeria have not been covered.
Notable Quotes
The Minister said, “this was not the first time the country is providing such interventions to her neighbours.
“Let me just say that over time, Nigeria has had to support her neighbours, especially, the immediate neighbours to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria had assisted the Niger Republic, Cameroon, or Chad.
“The President makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their Presidents. Such requests are approved and interventions are provided.
“It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria.
She added further that, “Nigerians have the right to ask questions, but also the President has the responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interest of the country and I cannot question the decision myself.
“I have said this is not the first time and that Nigeria as a country has provided intervention to our neighbours. It is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so”
