Afrigather Amidst financial hardship, hovering costs, and safety challenges, Nigeria’s presidential jet, Air Power 001, continues to devour billions of naira in upkeep prices.
This lavish expenditure on the jet, devoted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raises questions on fiscal prudence and nationwide priorities.
In line with a report by Day by day Belief, the upkeep bills for the presidential plane have grow to be a big monetary burden.
A senior official, aware of the fleet’s maintenance, revealed that routine servicing and elements acquisition for the plane are draining substantial funds.
Furthermore, the official identified that the pattern of excessive upkeep prices for the presidential fleet just isn’t new.
But, the advice to demobilize the fleet by former Presidential Air Fleet Commander, AVM AA Yaro, appears to have gone unheeded.
The Ageing Air Power 001
The Air Power 001, a 737 Boeing Enterprise Jet (BBJ), was bought in the course of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for $43 million.
Though the age of an plane doesn’t straight influence its efficiency, upkeep prices improve over time.
This makes older plane costlier to take care of than newer fashions. Moreover, within the run-up to President Tinubu’s inauguration, the plane underwent complete upkeep, including to the monetary pressure.
Hovering Upkeep Payments
Sources disclosed to Day by day Belief that the plane’s upkeep payments have exceeded $5 million, almost half of the over $10 million liabilities inherited by the presidential fleet.
Consequently, the escalating prices have led to requires the acquisition of a brand new presidential jet. The Basic Secretary of the Society of Licensed Plane Upkeep Engineers (SLAMEN), Sheri Kyari, advocated for a brand new buy.
He said, “It’s higher for the federal government to purchase a brand new one. How a lot is a brand-new plane? They need to have the ability to get one thing significantly better from Boeing.”
Moreover, a comparability with neighboring nations reveals that Nigeria’s presidential jet is comparatively outdated.
Ivory Coast boasts two Gulfstream plane and makes use of A319 and A320 for prolonged journeys, whereas Senegal operates A320Neo and A319 together with different smaller jets.
The Presidential Jet Dilemma
An plane engineer, preferring anonymity, emphasised the president’s security. He urged reassessing the plane’s upkeep file earlier than deciding on its future.
“The president is vital,” the engineer said. “We can not micromanage his transport. He deserves higher.”
The controversy over Nigeria’s presidential jet highlights broader problems with nationwide priorities and financial duty.
Because the nation faces financial and safety challenges, spending billions on sustaining an growing old plane raises questions on useful resource allocation.
In the meantime, the federal government’s choice to both proceed funding upkeep or spend money on a brand new jet will entice consideration from residents and analysts. This choice is essential for financial technique and nationwide curiosity.
