Rita Odafe
The decision to procure a new presidential jet by the Tinubu-led Federal Government is in the works.
Sources familiar with TheCable have disclosed that this move will be part of the 2024 supplementary budget.
This choice is a response to a string of incidents involving the current presidential aircraft, emphasizing the necessity for more modern and dependable planes.
One notable event occurred in April when President Bola Tinubu had to opt for a commercial flight for his trip to the World Economic Forum in Riyadh due to technical issues with the presidential jet used on his journey to The Netherlands.
Around the same time, Vice-President Kashim Shettima encountered similar problems, being forced to turn back to Nigeria from a US trip midway because of an engine problem in his chartered plane.
To address these recurring challenges, the government has initiated the sale of three older aircraft from the presidential air fleet, overseen by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) section of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The existing fleet comprises various aircraft models, including the Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), Gulfstream G550, and Falcon 7x, among others.
Despite suggestions from two national assembly panels recommending the acquisition of two new planes for the President and Vice-President, the decision has been made to include only one new jet in the upcoming supplementary budget.
As announced by Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, in early June, this budget will be funded through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) administered by the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (NSWIA).
In addition to the presidential jet, the supplementary budget will also provide funds for essential infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and various railway projects nationwide, with the aim of enhancing Nigeria’s transportation network and driving economic development.
