Foreign-Made SUVs have higher quality, we may consider locally made ones next time - Senate committee chair says

Foreign-Made SUVs have higher quality, we may consider locally made ones next time – Senate committee chair says

Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed acquisition of luxury vehicles by federal lawmakers, many of whom have faced criticism from the Nigerian public, Sunday Karimi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, has offered an explanation for the selection of foreign-made Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) Land Cruisers and Prados. According to Karimi, the preference for these vehicles is rooted in their perceived “quality and durability.”

Karimi, who serves as the representative of Kogi West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, shared his perspective during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on a recent Wednesday.

When questioned about the lawmakers’ reluctance to opt for domestically manufactured vehicles, he offered the following explanation, “Today, we decided for Toyota because Toyota has a name and a longstanding reputation for quality and durability… As our local manufacturing companies develop, we are going to support them.”

Karimi highlighted that the federal lawmakers require these vehicles for oversight duties and for traveling throughout their constituencies. He emphasized that the purchase of utility vehicles is a legitimate expenditure, justified by the challenging state of Nigerian roads.

Elaborating on the road conditions across the nation, he remarked, “If you look at Nigerian roads all over the Federation, we have a serious problem because very little progress has been made in recent years. Most of our roads are in deplorable condition.”

Addressing the choice of foreign-made vehicles, Karimi assured that, in the future, as the Nigerian manufacturing sector continues to evolve, they will consider local options.