The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Acting Director-General, Chris Najomo, allegedly spent a staggering N250 million on a new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series (70th Anniversary Edition) luxury SUV, as reported by DAILY NIGERIAN. This purchase was not included in the budget, raising concerns about financial transparency and accountability.
The purchase of the expensive vehicle by Najomo, just three months after assuming the role of Acting DG, has sparked accusations of financial mismanagement within the NCAA. The lack of budgetary allocation for such a significant expenditure adds to the controversy surrounding Najomo’s actions.
Before Najomo’s appointment, the NCAA had proposed substantial sums for various expenditures, including N3 billion for vehicle purchases, N4.3 billion for international transport, N3.3 billion for local transport and training travels, and N8.3 billion for travel and transport.
According to an insider cited by DAILY NIGERIAN, the purchase of the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV did not receive approval from the National Assembly, highlighting a violation of procurement regulations. Additionally, subsequent investigations revealed that the procurement process lacked the requisite approvals from both the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.
The Toyota Land Cruiser, acquired by the NCAA towards the end of February, boasted full option specifications and was adorned with the official custom number plate “01,” indicating its use by the DG. However, such extra-budgetary expenditure violates government procurement and financial regulations, which carry penalties, including a potential five-year jail term without the option of a fine.
Government policy mandates that no motor vehicle, regardless of its price, should be purchased by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) without the approval of the Federal Executive Council. Najomo’s alleged disregard for these regulations underscores concerns about accountability and adherence to established protocols within government entities.
