After weeks of silence, the Presidency unveiled the newly purchased Airbus A330, on Monday, August 19, 2024
Discussion about a new Presidential jet began after the problems encountered by the Boeing Business Jet acquired under former President Olusegun Obasanjo 19 years ago developed faults on separate trips to Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands and South Africa.
President Bola Tinubu had to make use of chartered jets, a development the presidency described as embarrassing.
As government officials argued for a new aircraft, the masses pushed back, saying that was not the priority given the widespread economic hardship and other problems confronting Nigeria. All attempts to convince Nigerians literally fell on deaf ears and the presidency went into silence on the issue.
However, in June, an online news platform reported that the Nigerian government had acquired the Airbus A330 from a German bank. The bank had reportedly seized the aircraft from an unnamed Arabian prince who defaulted on a substantial debt.
The Presidency did not issue an official statement, leaving the public in the dark about the purchase. It was during the controversial Chinese firm saga that Nigerians got a hint that the new aircraft had actually been purchased.
Yet the Presidency maintained silence until when the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released pictures with a 4-paragraph statement.
Onanuga, who did not disclose the cost of the jet, said, “The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.”
The presidential spokesman justified the purchase of the new presidential jet on the grounds of the age of the BBJ purchased under Obasanjo.
However, experts say the age of an aircraft does not matter as long as the maintenance programme is adhered to.
“Though the government has kept mute about the cost of the aircraft, information gathered by The Point revealed that the government acquired the airplane at the cost of $100 million and retrofitted with state-of-the-art gadgets with another $50 million”
Checks by The Point indicate that the Boeing 747 (the Air Force One) used by the US President, the most powerful President in the world, is 34-year old and it has served no fewer than six Presidents, including the incumbent Joseph Biden.
Other Presidents the jet had served were George H W Bush (1989-1993), Bill Clinton (1993-2001), George W Bush (2001-2008), Barack Obama (2008-2016) and Donald J Trump (2016-2020).
In the case of Nigeria, apart from Obasanjo who used the aircraft for a few years before the expiration of his tenure, the plane had served four Nigerian leaders, including late Umar Yar’Adua (for barely two years); former President Goodluck Jonathan and immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu, on August 19, embarked on a trip to France, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital. The presidency did not state the purpose of Tinubu’s visit.
He returned to Nigeria on Friday. The Airbus A330 carrying the President touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2:25 am Friday.
This was the fourth trip the president was making to the European country since his assumption of office.
In addition, he has also been to Equatorial Guinea, London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Novo, Benin Republic and Pretoria, South Africa.
He has also travelled to Accra, Ghana; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal and Doha, Qatar.
Age of aircraft doesn’t matter – Experts
An aviation expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity insisted that the age of an aircraft does not matter as long as the maintenance schedule is strictly adhered to,
He said, “They said this one has been operating for 19 years despite the fact that US Air Force One has been operating more than that but it has been undergoing upgrade, upgrade and renovation. I hope we would have the maintenance culture to maintain the airplane because Airbus A330 is a complex airplane. I hope we will have the manpower to maintain the aircraft and keep the parts going.”
The expert who is an aircraft Captain added, “You know my stance, age doesn’t matter if the airplane is maintained according to its maintenance schedule and spare parts are provided as when due. I don’t see any problem with age at all.”
Another expert, who spoke anonymously, added, “Basically Boeing aircraft are more reliable and rugged than the Airbus aircraft. I believe Boeing is better and is in existence than Airbus. Also Boeing aircraft are for all weather unlike Airbus aircraft.”
Weighing in on the conversation, yet another expert said, it is not a bad thing to have a new aircraft since it is not a personal property of the President.
“It is a Nigerian property. It is a good thing to have a bigger airplane but is it the right time to have it, you can ask the politicians, even if things are hard, you ask the politicians.”
Speaking on the issue, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigame Aircraft Consultancy Incorporation, Florida, United States of America, Femi Adeniji, said that the older an aircraft is, the more expensive it is to maintain.
Adeniji also explained that this is largely dependent on how frequently the aircraft is maintained by the user.
According to him, it was necessary for the government to acquire more modern equipment that would serve it better and cheaper to maintain on the long run with reduced fuel consumption.
He also said that for security and safety reasons, the presidency should have an in-house MRO facility, which could at least carry out C-checks maintenance on the jet, rather than taking such equipment outside the country for maintenance purposes.
The Nigame CEO maintained that this maintenance should be carried out by the engineers in the Nigeria Air Force and certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
He said, “Is the aircraft on any maintenance programme, which is like health insurance; paying a monthly premium based on the budgeted flight hours? This pays in the long run to reduce your maintenance cost because the presidential fleet could not keep a pool of parts.
“For security reasons too, presidential fleet aircraft maintenance too are better and safer being complied with in-house, providing the right equipment and tooling for this instead of overseas where the crew hotel accommodations, logistics, per diem and others are all inclusive because they have to be there and monitor the maintenance and security assurance.”
Adeniji reiterated that Nigeria required a presidential jet, for security, easy access, movement of the president, vice president, and higher officers of the government.
Besides, an engineer with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Sheri Kyari, posited that purchasing a brand new aircraft for presidential movement would be better in a bid to reduce the maintenance cost.
He, however, advised that the government should still go for a Boeing brand of equipment because of its maintenance and technical expertise in the country.
Another aviation security expert argued that the aeroplane would be costlier to maintain because of its age.
According to the expert who craved anonymity due to his position in the aviation sector, the government should have acquired more modern equipment that would serve it better and cheaper to maintain on the long run with reduced fuel consumption.
“The presidency should have acquired a Boeing Aircraft that is easier to maintain in the country than purchasing an Airbus. Also, for security reasons too, presidential fleet aircraft maintenance too are better and safer being complied with in-house, providing the right equipment and tooling for this instead of overseas where the crew hotel accommodations, logistics, per diem and others are all inclusive because they have to be there and monitor the maintenance and security assurance.”
Inside the new jet
The multi-engine prestige jet, which has an elaborate VIP configuration, is 15 years old. The aircraft, which now has registration number, 5N-FGA, was manufactured in September 2009 and delivered in November 2009 with the registration number, VP-CAC, to Midroc Aviation, based in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International, Saudi Arabia.
It was with the configuration, VIP engines, 2xRR and HEX CODE, 4241AC.
The Saudi Arabian aviation company operated the aircraft for 12 years before it was acquired by AMAC Aerospace in April 2021. AMAC Aerospace is a Switzerland based company, which operated the aircraft for three years before it was acquired by the Nigerian government and upgraded to the current status.
The deal was reportedly brokered by L & L International LLC, an American aviation firm based in Miami, Florida, which saw Nigeria purchase the aircraft for over $100 million.
Though the government has kept mute about the cost of the aircraft, information gathered by The Point revealed that the government acquired the airplane at the cost of $100 million and retrofitted with state-of-the-art gadgets with another $50 million.
The price of a brand new A330- 200 aircraft is $238.5 million, while A330-300 is priced at $264.2 million and A330-200F costs $241.7 million to acquire.
A source close to the presidency had confirmed that the Federal Government spent over $4.5 million for the jet’s maintenance in 2023, while more money would be expended on the equipment in 2024.
In a bid to save cost in the long run, experts in the Nigerian aviation industry had said it was necessary for the government to acquire a modern jet, which would consume less fuel for the president’s movement, but cautioned that it should not be an opportunity to swindle the country.
Widespread anger spreads over new jet
However, there is widespread anger following the unveiling of the new Airbus A330 presidential jet purchased by the Federal Government.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had on June 27, declared that the upper chamber did not receive any request for the purchase of new aircraft for the president.
Nigerians had perceived the move by the presidency to get a new jet, but the Senate President vehemently debunked the report, saying there was nothing like that in their table.
Akpabio, who spoke after a closed-door meeting, said, “I have never had that correspondence to approve the purchase of a plane. We care about the President, we care about Nigerians.
“We will approve things that will benefit the people. There is nothing before us.”
Similarly the Senate leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) said, “There is no such request, if the request comes, not only the Senate will debate it, we are 469 here. So this is the handiwork of the fifth columnist and propagandists.”
There was no parliamentary debate prior to the arrival of the exotic presidential jet.
Although the presidency deliberately omitted the price of the jet, it was gathered that the Nigerian government spent over $100 million (N159 billion) to acquire the Airbus A330.
This is coming amid the ravaging economic downturn that has relatively made feeding difficult for millions of citizens.
Concerned citizens, who reacted to the procurement of the new jet, accused the government of neglecting the plight of the citizens.
Why was Tinubu in France? – Atiku Abubakar
In a reaction, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, called on the handlers of the president to give more insight into the trip to France.
In a statement by his media office, Atiku said, “Could you kindly elucidate the duration of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France, or is this engagement open-ended?
“Furthermore, might you provide insight into the nature of the ‘brief work’ being undertaken in France, or is this matter held in secrecy?”
Atiku said this had become necessary given that the president serves as a public steward funded by the nation’s resources, stressing that it was of paramount importance that Nigerians are kept apprised of his travel plans, objectives, and schedules.
“I trust that, having learned from the Yar’Adua experience, we are committed to upholding a higher standard of transparency,” the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 polls stated.
Let Nigerians know cost of new presidential jet – Peter Obi
Also, the Labour Party‘s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged President Tinubu’s administration to let Nigerians know the cost of the new presidential jet.
Obi expressed his concerns on Tuesday night through his X account, specifically questioning the Nigerian government’s acquisition of an Airbus A330 jet.
Obi emphasised the importance of transparency, calling on the Tinubu administration to disclose the details of the jet’s acquisition, including its cost, age, and operational history.
He also urged the government to clarify the fate of the older jets in the presidential fleet, including their number, age, and reasons for their sale.
Peter Obi wrote, “Now that the jet is here, Nigerian taxpayers, whose money was used for this purchase, deserve to know the cost, the age of the aircraft, and how long it has been in operation.
“Nigerians also have a right to know the details of the old jets being disposed of, how many there are, their age, and why they are being sold. Transparency and accountability should be the cornerstone of any genuine leadership.
Obi further warned that the Federal Government stands to lose respect if it fails to provide sufficient information to the public regarding its decisions.
“A presidential jet is a significant symbol of national sovereignty and state power. The cost of transporting the president is a matter of public accountability. Nigerians should not be denied full disclosure on the new presidential jet.
“A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,” Obi said.
No argument can justify this latest profligacy – Ezekwesili
A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday said President Tinubu has no argument to justify the purchase of the Airbus A330
Ezekwesili said no argument from Tinubu will persuade Nigerians into justifying what she termed “latest profligacy.”
Posting on X, Ezekwesili wrote: “No argument justifies the purchase of a 14 year old Airbus plane by the @NGRPresident @officialABAT for his indulgence.
“No argument that can persuade reasonable people justifies this latest profligacy.
“Continue with your obscene indulgence until the day your hungry citizens can no longer bear to sleep on their empty stomachs.
Tinubu acting like Sani Abacha pro max – Adeyanju
Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, also on Wednesday while reacting to the purchase of the new Presidential jet, an Escalade bulletproof vehicle, and a Yacht accused President Tinubu of acting like former Military Head of State, Sani Abacha pro max within one year of assuming power.
Posting on his Facebook page, Adeyanju wrote: “Critics don’t make good leaders. If in doubt, just look at Tinubu. The guy is acting like a Sani Abacha pro max just under one year. A hypocrite that can’t take what he gives.
“Just got back to Abuja from Lagos and saw Tinubu’s outrageously huge presidential jet.”
Tinubu bought private jet, bulletproof car in one year but Nigerians suffering – Sowore
“A presidential jet is a significant symbol of national sovereignty and state power. The cost of transporting the president is a matter of public accountability. Nigerians should not be denied full disclosure on the new presidential jet”
A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on his part, knocked Tinubu’s government for procuring a Presidential jet and a bullet proof vehicle within one year in office despite the failure to tackle the economic crisis bedeviling Nigerians.
Sowore said Nigerian leaders were only concerned about meeting their personal desires and not what the citizens were going through.
The activist cum politician, who was one of the key organizers of the just concluded EndBadGovernance protests, disclosed this in a series of posts on his X page.
According to Sowore, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said one year isn’t enough for Nigerians to enjoy a better country but look at what he bought for himself in just one year.
“Yacht, jet, Bulletproof Escalade, mansion for VP #RevolutionNow.
“Day of fun at the expense of suffering Nigerians, @officialABAT jumbo luxury Presidential Jet arrives Nice, France. #France #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #FearlessInOctober #RevolutionNow
“The only thing that makes these thieving rulers in Nigeria happy is when they fulfill their personal desires; they don’t care about the people.
“It is the time for the people to bond and take them head-on. #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria 2.0.”
They don’t care about us – LP chieftain
Similarly, a chieftain of the Labour Party, Okon Fredrick said the move by the government to purchase an exotic jet amid the hardship in the country showed that the government officials did not care about the citizens.
Okon said, “Leadership is by example. Tinubu had consistently appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government, yet he is not patient enough to continue using the old jet.
“Like the singer Micheal Jackson once said, ‘they don’t really care about us’, we are on our own. Nothing about us matters to them
“This is obviously the wrong time to be buying a presidential jet with such a huge amount of money. We just finished a round of protest trying to tell the government that we are dying of hunger.
“Just a few days after the protest was halted, the executive is flying a new jet of over N100 billion.
“The citizens are watching and one day, like Charlie Boy usually says, their mumu go do.”
