- Some lawmakers have forwarded the document to the presidency for action
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged the federal government to promptly acquire new airplanes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Premium Times reports that the recommendation was made in a report issued following a hearing by the committee’s technical subcommittee on the status and airworthiness of the 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.
“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run apart from the added advantage of providing 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.”
Some lawmakers have forwarded the document to the presidency for action.
The report states that the presidential fleet has six aircraft and six helicopters, with several unserviceable. The Boeing 737 and Gulfstream GV are unserviceable, and the Gulfstream G550 and Challenger CL605 are serviceable. One Falcon 7X is serviceable, and the other is not. Both Agusta 139 helicopters are unserviceable.