CSO defends Sports ministry’s purchase of N142m vehicle

The Civil Society Network for Good Governance has defended the Ministry of Sports Development, under the leadership of Minister Senator John Owan Enoh, over the purchase of a brand-new Toyota Prado LC300 3.5L Twin Turbo Auto leather seat valued at N142.7 million.

The organisation said, contrary to the claims of financial irresponsibility, the purchase of operational vehicles for key ministry officials was fully budgeted for in the ministry’s 2024 approved budget, stating that due process was followed at every step, with no involvement of the minister in the bidding or procurement process.

Reports claimed that the luxury vehicle payment was made on July 8, 2024, to QLS Global Services Limited, the company responsible for supplying the vehicle. It was reported that an additional N7,137,137.36 was paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as a five per cent tax on the vehicle purchase.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, was also said to have benefited from similar largesse.

But in a statement on Thursday, President of the Civil Society Network for Good Governance, Barr. Adefila Kamal, noted that the minister has been transparent in his operations and fully committed to developing Nigerian sports.

He said the purchase of the vehicles was necessary for the smooth functioning of the ministry, which, he argued, upon its separation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in 2023, faced significant logistical challenges, including a lack of operational vehicles for key officers.

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“Senator Enoh, for months, relied on an old, malfunctioning vehicle, while the Permanent Secretary used her personal