The Presidency has responded to criticism over the purchase of a new presidential jet by saying the plane will save Nigeria millions of dollars.
In a statement confirming a PREMIUM TIMES report that President Bola Tinubu would use the new aircraft to travel to France on Monday, spokesman Bayo Onanuga said: “The new aircraft, purchased well below market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars annually.”
Many Nigerians have criticised the purchase of the presidential jet at a time when most are experiencing austerity measures brought on by government policies.
Details to follow…
Read Mr. Onanuga’s full post on X below.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on Monday for Paris, France on the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) purchased under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The new aircraft, purchased well below market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, amounting to millions of dollars a year.
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The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed a Nigerian parliamentary inquiry hearing that questioned the plane's safety record and profitability, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria's Senate intelligence and security committee has recommended replacing aging aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operating costs.
The new aircraft is spacious and equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, custom interiors and communications systems.