The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged the federal government to purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
This call was made in a report following a technical subcommittee hearing on the current state and airworthiness of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), per Premium Times.
The committee emphasized the need for new planes, citing the fragile nature of the Nigerian federation and the potential consequences of any technical or operational failures within the fleet. The report underscored the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of the aircraft used by the nation’s top leaders, stating that procuring two additional aircraft would be a cost-efficient and prudent measure.
“The Committee is of the strong and informed opinion that considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognizing the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of technical/operational inadequacy of the Presidential Air Fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended,” the report stated.
Current Fleet Condition
According to the report, the Presidential Air Fleet currently includes six aircraft: a Boeing 737, a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, and a Challenger CL605. Of these, three are unserviceable. The fleet also comprises six helicopters, including two Agusta 139s and four Agusta 189s, with the Agusta 139s being unserviceable.
The report detailed the specific issues with the aircraft, highlighting that the president’s 19-year-old Boeing 737 is undergoing maintenance, and the 23-year-old Gulfstream GV is unserviceable. In contrast, the vice president’s 13-year-old Gulfstream G550 and the 12-year-old Challenger CL605 are both serviceable. Only one of the two Falcon 7Xs is operational.
The committee noted that maintaining the aging aircraft is increasingly costly, leading to extended downtimes and higher overall fleet costs. As such, the panel concluded that procuring new aircraft for the president and vice president is the most viable solution. The high cost of maintaining these aircraft was underscored by reports indicating that between $1.5 million and $4.5 million was spent annually on each plane’s maintenance by 2022.
Backstory
Former President Muhammadu Buhari had pledged to reduce the number of planes in the fleet by selling some aircraft. However, this did not materialize, and the cost of running the fleet rose by 190% between 2016 and 2020. The current administration under President Tinubu has inherited these challenges, further complicated by recent policy decisions.
In March, the House Committee’s chair, Ahmed Satomi, moved a motion to investigate the breakdown of planes in the presidential fleet, following incidents where President Tinubu’s plane malfunctioned during a trip to the Netherlands, and Vice President Shettima canceled a U.S. trip due to aircraft issues. Despite opposition from some lawmakers, the committee proceeded with its investigation.
The investigative hearing, conducted on May 20, involved briefings from senior officials, including Major General M. Galadima from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Air Vice Marshal Olayinka Oyesola, the commander of the Presidential Air Fleet. Based on these briefings, the committee resolved that the government should prioritize the safety of the president and other VIPs by overhauling the presidential air fleet.
The committee’s subpanel completed its assessment on June 4, recommending that new aircraft be procured for the president and vice president. The panel suggested that a new aircraft akin to the USA’s Air Force Two should be acquired for the vice president, which could also serve other high-ranking officials.
Aircraft amidst a heavy economic downturn
This recommendation comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with significant economic challenges that began under former President Buhari’s administration and have been exacerbated by recent policy decisions under President Tinubu.
Thus, this recommendation is perceived by many as a significant misstep, compounding the already dire economic situation and highlighting a stark disconnect between the government and the populace’s struggles.
Nigeria’s economy has been on a downward trajectory for several years, significantly affecting the standard of living for millions of Nigerians. Under the administration of Buhari, the country faced numerous economic challenges, including a recession, rising unemployment, and high inflation rates.
These issues have been compounded by recent policy decisions under President Tinubu’s administration, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate, which have led to further devaluation of the naira and skyrocketing inflation.
The economic policies implemented by the current administration have intensified the financial burden on Nigerians. The removal of fuel subsidies, for instance, led to a sharp increase in fuel prices, impacting transportation costs and the prices of goods and services across the board. The unification of the exchange rate, while aimed at stabilizing the economy, resulted in a dramatic fall in the value of the naira, further eroding the purchasing power of the average Nigerian.
Inflation has reached unprecedented levels at 33.69% in April, making basic necessities unaffordable for many and pushing more Nigerians into poverty.
Amidst these economic difficulties, the Nigerian government has struggled to address the minimum wage issue. The current monthly minimum wage of N30,000 (approximately $25) is widely considered inadequate, failing to meet the basic needs of workers in an economy where the cost of living continues to rise. There have been persistent calls from labor unions and civil society organizations for the government to increase the minimum wage to a living wage that can provide for workers’ basic needs. However, progress on this front has been slow and fraught with challenges.
In contrast to the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians, the government’s lifestyle appears extravagant. The recommendation to purchase new aircraft for the President and Vice President is believed to typically exemplify this extravagance.
The current fleet, despite its maintenance issues, still represents a significant investment. The proposal to acquire new planes, estimated to cost millions of dollars, is seen as a misuse of resources that could be better allocated to address more pressing economic issues, such as improving public services, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.
Against this backdrop, there is a growing demand for the government to cut the cost of governance and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. The perception that government officials continue to enjoy a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the populace has fueled public discontent and calls for greater accountability and transparency in government spending.
With many struggling to make ends meet, the recommendation to buy new aircraft appears out of touch with the reality on the ground. This move, coupled with reports of other extravagant government expenditures, such as the N21 billion spent on the renovation of the Vice President’s residence, underscores the disconnect between the leadership and the citizens, further eroding public trust in the government’s ability to manage the economy effectively.
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