The Taxpayers Association of Nigeria (TAPAN) has asked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to return the bullet-proof cars purchased for Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and retrieve taxpayers’ money.

TAPAN, at a news conference addressed by the President, Phillip Ilukholo, flanked by the BOT chairman, Comrade Val Nzekwe and Director Finance/Administration, Obinna Okafor, described the scandal as a monumental national embarrassment.

Said Barrister Ilukholo: “We are greatly worried by the ongoing public scandal surrounding the purchase of two armoured vehicles for the minister of aviation by the NCAA with a whopping sum of N255 million.

“That such a huge sum of money could be used to purchase two vehicles is a pointer to grand connivance between some public officers and unscrupulous contractors to loot the nation’s treasury.

“Where was the budgetary provision? This is arrogance of power and sheer profligacy; we must get to the root of this monumental embarrassment and sanction every culprit appropriately to serve as a deterrent to others.

“If such a huge sum of money could be used to purchase two vehicles, it is a pointer to grand connivance between some public officers and unscrupulous contractors to loot the nation’s treasury. To this end, we call on the Minister of Aviation to roll those vehicles back because the distance from where the vehicles were purchased to the Ministry of Aviation is less than two kilometres. To us, we see that those vehicles have not be driven within two kilometres. Therefore, the way they rolled them to the Ministry of Aviation is how they should roll them back. This is our position.”

TAPAN also commented on the proposed national dialogue, cautioning politicians against making comments that could derail it since it is not a political party affair.

According to the association, “It is unfortunate that some politicians are orchestrating a campaign against the national dialogue. We find it strange that even those who once mounted vociferous agitations for a national conference are now singing discordant tunes. We are aware that some political parties are planning to influence the boycott of the conference by some states for selfish reasons.”

•Photo shows BOT Chairman, Comrade Val Nzekwe.