President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently under intense pressure, to drastically reduce the number of jets in his Presidential fleet, from its present 10 to at most 3.
There are indications that the country can save about $1.8 billion annually, from the running and maintenance costs of the fleet, if reduced.
Recall, that the 2016 budget has N1.56 billion appropriated for only maintenance of the jets, and a number of helicopters in use by the Presidency, which is expected to increase in the 2017 budget proposal, given the fall in the value of the naira.
The renewed agitation came on the heels of Buhari’s departure for the 71st United Nations General Assembly, UNGA71, session in New York, United States of America, USA.
A cross section of opinion leaders have expressed the need to carry out real scaling down of costs of running governance, and reflecting same in the 2017 budget.
Among those who have expressed their views on the matter, is a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, who called for sincerity of purpose by all stakeholders in the country.
He argued that the President has the option of either an outright sale of some of the fleet, or converting them to passenger planes, which will help in boosting the status of the debt-ridden aviation industry.
Also, David Briggs, a retired Pilot with the defunct Nigeria Airways, is of the opinion that Nigeria could make do with at most, three jets for the Presidency.
“In most developing countries, only two jets are run for the Presidential office, why Nigeria is having such number of jets for one office beats any sense of reasoning, more so, now that the country cannot afford such luxury.“In most developed economies, including Germany and United Kingdom, the Executive has one jet dedicated to it, and most times, their leaders use the commercial planes for their trips.”
A senior Lecturer with the Lagos University, Dr. Robert Ukaeje, added that the government’s sincerity over the needed sacrifice for the recovery of the economy, would be seen from how it is able to handle the popular call for the reduction of the Presidential fleet.
He stated, that the amount to be realised from the sale of some of the jets, could be channeled to the critical arms of the economy.
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