Current:Home > StocksNigeria’s president signs controversial bill for a presidential yacht and SUVs for lawmakers-InfoLens
Nigeria’s president signs controversial bill for a presidential yacht and SUVs for lawmakers
View Date:2024-12-23 14:43:36
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a supplementary budget earmarking millions of dollars for a presidential yacht and sport utility vehicles for his wife and top government officials has again stoked anger among ordinary Nigerians over what they see as a growing economic disparity.
Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law the budget that allocates $38 million for the presidential air fleet and other renovations. Some $6.1 million budgeted earlier for the the yacht was assigned by lawmakers to “student loans” - with the senate’s approval.
The country’s navy said it had taken delivery of the yacht, but “it has not been paid for.”
Presidential spokesperson Anjuri Ngelale defended the supplemental budget as serving to “strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and address Nigeria’s critical infrastructure deficit, amongst other considerations.”
The spokesperson said about 30% of the money would be spent on security, and another 35% on “provision of critical infrastructure.”
Recently, the country’s 460-member national assembly confirmed that all lawmakers will get each a new SUV reportedly at a cost of more than $150,000 each. The lawmakers said the vehicles would help them do their work better.
Nigeria, one of the world’s poorest countries, is currently seeing food prices continue to soar to record highs. Also soaring is the frustration of ordinary Nigerians who see politicians earn huge salaries while others like medical professionals often have to go on strike to protest meager wages.
“It is by the grace of God that I can eat. It is hard,” said Nduka Omeje, a trader in Apo resettlement in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
Labor unions struggled to get the government to raise the minimum wage for civil servants from a monthly $67 a month. The 2019 came after workers staged protests.
veryGood! (1534)
Related
- Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn’s SKIMS Holiday Pajamas Are Selling Out Fast—Here’s What’s Still Available
- What Iran’s attack against Israel could look like with the support of regional allies
- Rural Nevada sheriff probes potential hate crime after Black man says he was racially harassed
- Victoria Canal Addresses Tom Cruise Dating Rumors
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- Kehlani's Ex Javaughn Young-White Accuses Her of Being in a Cult
- Judge in Trump’s hush money case delays date for ruling on presidential immunity
- Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested after allegedly resisting arrest at traffic stop
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Transition From Summer To Fall With Cupshe Dresses as Low as $24.99 for Warm Days, Cool Nights & More
Ranking
- California teen pleads guilty in Florida to making hundreds of ‘swatting’ calls across the US
- Michigan primaries will set the stage for Senate, House races key to control of Congress
- USA vs. Germany live updates: USWNT lineup, start time for Olympics semifinal
- You Won’t Believe These Expensive-Looking Marble Decor Pieces Are From Target
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- 13-year-old boy killed when tree falls on home during Hurricane Debby's landfall in Florida
- Tropical Storm Debby is expected to send flooding to the Southeast. Here’s how much rain could fall
- Hurricane Debby: Photos show destruction, flooding in Florida caused by Category 1 storm
Recommendation
-
13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
-
Billy Ray Cyrus Settles Divorce From Firerose After Alleged Crazy Insane Scam
-
Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper Shares How Pageant Changed After Noelia Voigt Relinquished Her Title
-
Alabama to move forward with nitrogen gas execution in September after lawsuit settlement
-
Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison
-
The Small Business Administration expands clean energy loan program
-
Ex-Trump attorney Jenna Ellis to cooperate in Arizona fake electors case, charges to be dropped
-
Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley Shares She's Been Diagnosed With Graves’ Disease