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General News of Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Source: www.mynigeria.com

South Africa shares Tinubu's private jet arrival amid jet controversy

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The conversation about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's choice of transportation for foreign trips has been a controversial topic in both traditional and new media over the past week.

This discussion was sparked by the National Security and Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives, which urged the federal government to purchase new airplanes for the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The call came after a report from the committee's technical subcommittee on the status and airworthiness of aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

“The Committee is of the strong and informed opinion that considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of technical/operational inadequacy of the Presidential Air Fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended,” the report read in part.

The report and the subsequent recommendation has been squashed by Nigerians far and wide as well as some political stalwarts.

Peter Gregory Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, criticized the government for planning to purchase new aircraft for the presidential fleet despite the nation's economic challenges.

Obi condemned the planned purchase as insensitive and unacceptable, stating that it is unfortunate for the executive to prioritize luxury while Nigerians are suffering.

The LP standard bearer said this in a series of tweets on his X handle on Monday.

While the conversation and enthusiasm have simmered down as a result of the conflict in Rivers State, photos and video showing the president's arrival in South Africa to attend the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa after his re-election show he traveled on a private jet and not any of the jets in the presidential fleets.

Footages shared by the South African presidency show the President disembarking from the jet at Waterkloof Air Force Base near Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital. The jet's blue-themed design contrasts with the typical green theme of Nigeria's presidential jets.

They captioned the footages: "His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Adekunie Tinubu @officialABAT of the Federal Republic of Nigeria arriving at Waterkloof Air Force Base for the Inauguration of HE Matamela @CyrilRamaphosa, President-Elect of the Republic of South Africa."

"South Africa regards Nigeria as a strategic partner in the context of bilateral relations, the West Africa region, and the continent in the pursuance of the African Agenda, South-South cooperation and in the promotion of a rules-based International System."

"Our two countries share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration in Africa."

What does the Presidential Air Fleet look like?

According to the report, the presidential fleet has six aircraft: one Boeing 737, a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, and a Challenger CL605. The committee said three of the aircraft were unserviceable as of the time it conducted its hearing.

In addition, the fleet has six helicopters: two Agusta 139s and four Agusta 189s. The committee, quoting the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Olayinka Oyesola, an Air Vice Marshal, said the two Agusta 139s are currently unserviceable.

The committee states that the president’s 19-year-old Boeing 737 is unserviceable and currently undergoing annual maintenance. Conversely, the vice president’s 13-year-old Gulfstream G550 is in good condition.

Also, the Gulfstream GV is 23 years old and currently unserviceable. One of the Falcon 7Xs is serviceable, while the other is not.

The Challenger CL605 is 12 years old and serviceable. The Agusta 139 helicopters, classified as unserviceable, are 17 and 18 years old, respectively.