The federal government has pushed back at the barrage of criticism that is trailing its purchase of N1.1b worth of vehicles to neighbouring Niger Republic.
The revelation of the gift, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser, to Niger amid the poor financial state of Nigeria and grinding poverty ravaging the country by investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, has drawn the federal government wide criticism.
It is being regarded by commentators as ‘irresponsible’, but the federal government has put up a defence.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council said to newsmen that the action was in order and usual of the government.
According to her: “This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their President and such requests are approved and the interventions provided is to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria.”
