Despite spending a total of N45 billion within two years on the purchase of backup and official vehicles for members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the state has budgeted an additional N20.6 billion for vehicles in the 2025 fiscal year.

Checks by SaharaReporters showed that the N45billion earlier spent covered the purchase of backup vehicles for lawmakers, utility vehicles, and official cars between 2023 and 2024.

Records show that N30.194 billion was spent in 2023, while another N15 billion was allocated in 2024 for vehicles for the 40 Honourable members, as well as utility and official vehicles.

If the proposed N20.6 billion for 2025 ? meant for 40 backup vehicles, 40 utility buses, and 40 official cars ? is fully expended, the total spent on vehicles for lawmakers between 2023 and 2025 would rise to N65 billion.

This breaks down into N30.194 billion in 2023, N15 billion in 2024, and N20.6 billion budgeted for 2025.

The House of Assembly also plans to spend N500million for the provision of arrival guest houses and residential quarters.

In addition, the lawmakers have earmarked N30.3 billion for "New fence/access road/landscaping and beautification" in the 2025 fiscal year.

Rehabilitation of the House of Assembly complex?including gatehouses, prayer complexes, car parks, and leisure facilities?is expected to cost N11.041 billion.

Allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption have also continued to trail the Assembly.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling for an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N17billion earmarked for constructing a gate at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

According to the petition obtained by SaharaReporters, the Progressive Youth Movement accused the Speaker of awarding a N469 million contract for the construction of the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat to Orgnitek Consult Limited, alleging that the company was used to facilitate fraudulent activities.

The group further alleged that the Speaker approved N200 million for a thanksgiving event at the Lagos State House of Assembly, arguing that it "should not have cost more than N2 million."

The House of Assembly had also survived a recent leadership crisis, which led to the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and the election of Mojisola Meranda.

After intense controversy, the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was reportedly "forced" to resign, allowing Obasa to return as Speaker.

The development has raised eyebrows, drawing mixed reactions from different quarters. (Sahara Reporters)

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