The Federal Government has been requested by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to buy new planes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The committee’s report, which was made public following its examination into the condition of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet, included its suggestion.
“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended, 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 the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet,” the report states.
“Besides from the added benefit of offering a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run.”
The committee was given a mandate by the house of representatives in May to carry out a “comprehensive investigation” into the presidential fleet’s aircraft in order to determine their technical status and airworthiness.
The House Committee chairman, Satomi Ahmed, sponsored the motion that led to the House resolution.
When the motion was made, the House floor was engaged in a contentious discussion. A few legislators recommended that the president travel by car or by commercial airplane.
Ahmed made the motion in response to news that the President had to use a chartered plane during his most recent international journey from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia due to malfunctioning planes in the presidential aviation fleet.
