President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, departed Abuja to France aboard the new presidential jet.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said in a statement that the jet replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onanuga argued that the airbus A330 will save Nigeria “huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly” in servicing the old aircraft.
In June, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence requested the Federal government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The purchase of a new plane by the Tinubu administration has generated controversies, with many questioning its justification at a time when the country’s economy is in dire condition.
The Senate was also accused of not caring for the plight of the Nigerian masses for approving the purchase of a new presidential jet at such a critical time.
However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, denied getting such a request from the Presidency at the time but also said the lawmakers would consider the request if it comes.
However, Onanuga’s statement confirmed the purchase of the new plane, which has been in the news as a rumour.
According to him, 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,” he added.
The Presidency said that Tinubu would return to the country after his stay in the European nation.
