The 2018 budget, shows that President Muhammadu Buhari, who many have described as Nigeria’s most widely traveled President, has proposed to spend N4.96 billion on fuel and maintenance of the Presidential jets.
Analysis of the 2018 budget currently before the National Assembly for consideration, shows that N1.37 billion has been proposed for the maintenance of the Aircraft.
It was observed that the cost of fueling the jets have been cut by about half, to N398 million in 2018 budget proposal, from the N900 million allocated for the same purpose in the 2017 budget.
However, the Federal Government has proposed to spend N1.17 billion for the purchase of air navigational equipment in the 2018 budget, higher than the N90 million budgeted in 2017, and N262.4 million allocated for the same purpose in the 2016 budget.
In addition to purchasing new air navigational equipment, the government also proposed other N418.51 million for repairs and rehabilitation of air navigational equipment.
Some of the new projects included in the 2018 budget related to maintenance of the Presidential jets include: the purchase of aircraft mobile washing machine for N1.88 million, mandatory upgrade and installation of live TV and internet service on BBJ (5N-FGT) for N200 million, compliance with mandatory upgrade and installation of internet service on G550 (5N-FGW) for N240 million, and installation of new cabin management system on GV (5N-FGS) for N375 million.
Other projects include: compliance with mandatory upgrades on PAF aircraft for N350 million, repair of the aerial surveillance radar system for N20.81 million, overhaul of landing gear for Presidential BBJ aircraft for N196.50 million, and overhaul of aircraft engines – FALCON 7X (5N-FGV) for N222.01 million.
Meanwhile, N7.26 billion has been proposed for the Presidential Air Fleet in the 2018 budget, for both capital and recurrent expenditures, with capital expenditure put at N2.90 billion.
Recall, that not long ago did the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, reveal in a statement that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the sale of two Presidential aircraft, a Falcon 7x executive jet, and Hawker 4000.
The move was seen as a deliberate action to reduce the fleets and save costs in the face of crippling economic condition in the country, but the 2018 budget proposals for the fleets prove to the contrary.
In October 2016, shortly after the Federal Government decided to sell two aircraft, President Buhari handed over two additional aircraft from the Presidential fleet to the Nigerian Air Force.
Like Us on Facebook!
Do You Need a Sugar Mummy, Sugar Daddy, Girlfriend, Boyfriend Wife or Husband? If Yes, Then Click Here For Details
0 comments:
Post a Comment