The Presidency has confirmed buying a new presidential jet [picture attached below] for the use of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the presidential jet is an Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ), acquired under Olusegun Obasanjo as president.
It was gathered that President Tinubu departed Abuja for Paris, France today using the new presidential Airbus A330.
According to a statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the new presidential jet was bought at a price far below the market rates.
Onanuga added that, the recommendation to replace the B737-700 (BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by the National Assembly (NASS) that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
“The recommendation to replace the B737-700 (BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.
“The new plane is spacious and is furnished with the state-of-the-art avionics, customized interior and communications system.,” Onanuga stated.
See photo of the presidential jet newly acquired by the Nigerian government below:
