*Finance Minister justifies FG’s action
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, justified the approval of N1.14billion for the purchase of vehicles for neighbouring Niger Republic.
But the Federal Government’s action has generated wide condemnations as some Nigerians have questioned why such a huge money should be given to Niger Republic when Nigerian public universities have remained closed for more than five months, following the inability of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The outrage began shortly after a journalist and social media influencer, David Hundeyin, exposed the Federal Government’s gift to the Niger Republic.
But the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, when asked to confirm the reports, argued that even though Nigerians have the right to question the approval, President Muhammadu Buhari, who okayed the purchase, also has the right to make his own assessment on situations and act accordingly.
The Finance Minister spoke at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria has a policy of assisting its neighbours to strengthen capacity to deal with insecurity.
She added that Nigeria has been supporting her neighbours, saying that the donation was to enhance the capacity of Niger Republic to maintain security.
The minister further said that the President has the liberty to access what is in the best interest of the country.
Maintaining that the President reserved the right to take decisions in the best interest of Nigeria, Ahmed 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 its 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 has assisted 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.”
“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 that this is not the first time and that Nigeria as a country has provided an intervention to our neighbors. It is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so.”
It was further gathered that the President approved about 10 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles to the Republic of Niger but did not specify the purpose for such approval.
According to the document released by Hundeyin, the President reportedly approved the release of the fund on February 22 while the contract to supply the 10 units of Toyoya Land Cruiser was awarded to IFO Kaura Motors Nig Limited.
