The Federal Government has
proposed to spend N7.26 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet, PAF, in the 2018
budget proposal, details by the Budget Office of the Federation have shown.
Of the amount, about N4.3 billion
was proposed for recurrent expenditure, while N2.8 billion would go for capital
expenditure.
The proposed expenditure is about
67 per cent higher than the N4.37 billion appropriation in the 2017 budget,
which consisted of N3.97 billion for recurrent and N399.5 million for capital
projects.
In the current proposal, which is
subject to the approval by the National Assembly, at least N1.58 billion was
set aside for the overhaul and maintenance of five aircraft on the fleet, from
about N2.9 billion budgeted for capital expenditure.
Details showed that N200 million
was proposed for the mandatory upgrade and installation of live TV and internet
service on BBJ (5N-FGT), just as about N240 million was voted for a similar
service on G550 (5N-FGW) during the year.
Equally, N375 million would be
used for installation of new cabin management system on GV (5N-FGS); N196.5
million for overhaul of landing gear for BBJ aircraft and N222 million for
overhaul of Falcon 7X (5N-FGV) aircraft engines.
About N3.89 billion was proposed
for mandatory upgrades on fleet aircraft; general aircraft maintenance;
aircraft fuel cost; purchase of air navigational equipment;
rehabilitation/repairs of air navigational equipment and purchase of Towberless
tow tractor for aircraft towing.
In the 2017 budget, about N2.03
billion was approved for the purchase of fire fighting vehicle and equipment
and air navigational equipment; aircraft towing vehicle, aircraft maintenance
tools and kitchen equipment; aircraft fuel cost and aircraft maintenance.
The PAF, considered the second
largest airline in the country after Arik Air, has remained a controversial
subject, following outcry among Nigerians that the cost of maintenance of more
than 10 aircraft in the fleet was too high, particularly at times like the
current lean economic resources.
On assumption of office,
President Muhamadu Buhari assured his administration would cut down on the
number of aircraft on the fleet inherited from former President Goodluck
Jonathan in 2015.
In November 2015, presidential
spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said 10 aircraft in the fleet included two each of
Augusta 149, Augusta 101 and Falcon 7X as well as one each of HS 4000, G500,
G550 and 737 BBJ series.
In October 2016, more than a year
after taking office, apparently in an attempt to downsize the PAF, the Buhari
administration advertised the sale of two of the aircraft – a Falcon 7X
executive jet and Hawker 4000.
When contacted for clarification,
Mr. Shehu said the sale of Falcon and the Hawker were still to be concluded.
“The bids are being reviewed by
both sides. One thing I want to assure Nigerians is that the present
administration is determined to secure the country’s best interest in a market
that is sounding hawkish,” Mr. Shehu said.
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Really? Do they need more presidential aircrafts now? They're out of their mind.
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