According to a report by TheCable, Nigeria is taking steps to sell three of its older presidential jets in order to reduce excessive spending on maintenance.
This decision comes after lawmakers recommended the acquisition of two new aircraft for the president and vice-president.
The current presidential air fleet consists of six airplanes and four helicopters, managed by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). It has been noted that some of these aircraft are not in serviceable condition, leading to the sale of the most burdensome ones.
The jets earmarked for sale are a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x. The Nigerian government has appointed JetHQ, a US-based airline marketer, as the broker for the sale, granting them exclusive rights to value and market the jets.
The proceeds from the sale are expected to contribute to the procurement of a replacement jet, as efforts are being made to find a suitable replacement without straining government finances. While bids have already been submitted for the aircraft, the NSA is prioritizing securing a favorable deal. Zakari Mijinyawa, a spokesperson for the NSA, confirmed the sale process without providing further details.
The debate surrounding the condition of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet has intensified due to recent incidents, including maintenance issues with the president’s BBJ and operational challenges faced by other government officials.
Despite calls for new aircraft to improve safety and efficiency, concerns remain about the economic implications given broader financial constraints. Lawmakers stress the importance of ensuring the safety of all citizens, including government officials, when determining the future of the presidential air fleet.
