Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has said that Nigeria, in fact, saved money with the purchase of a new presidential jet.
Onanuga stated this in a post on X on Monday evening.
He said the new presidential jet was bought far below the market price and therefore saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
He said the aircraft was bought following recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) after an investigative hearing by the National Assembly.
According to him, the legislative arm of the government had questioned the aircraft’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia.
Onanuga said, “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.
“The new plane is spacious and is furnished with the state-of-the-art avionics, customized interior and communications system.”
