Jonathan to Buy 11th Aircraft, Deposits N1.5bn

The Presidency has commenced plans to purchase a brand new aeroplane by making an initial deposit of N1, 520,000,000 for the aircraft. This will bring to 11 the number of aircraft in the presidential fleet.

According to the 2014 budget estimates submitted to the National Assembly last week for appropriation, several new items are to be purchased anew by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) under the supervision of the State House.

Other new items listed in the PAF budget are – the completion of hanger project, N405,500,000, tyre bay tools and equipment N106,000,000, Towberless tow tractor for aircraft towing for N58,740,000, hanger sweeper N31,870,000, luggage conveyor belt truck N28,898,000 and harlan tow tug for aircraft equipment towing N27,590,000.


Other new items are – CCTV and surveillance equipment for N18,000,000, aircraft tools and equipment N11,480,000, battery workshop equipment N5,050,000, complete tool box for general works and vehicles N360,000; heavy duty crocodile jacks N300,000; aluminum ladder N285,000; safety boots N52,500 and foldable ladder for N50,000.

In 2012, there were plans by the Presidency to acquire two planes and as things stand for now the aircrafts in the fleet of the PAF include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and a Gulfstream IVSP, one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

It is estimated that each of the Falcon 7X jets purchased in 2010 cost the nation, $51.1 million, while the Gulfstream 550 was purchased for $53.3 million.

The Nation