http://www.punchng.com/news/debtor-states-others-spend-n6bn-to-maintain-private-jets/

As the cash crunch continues to hit the federal and state governments across the country owing to declining global oil prices, SUNDAY PUNCH has gathered that 11 private jets and helicopters owned by seven state governments are being maintained with about N6bn yearly.

The jets and helicopters, which are worth N36.54bn going by the current exchange rate, are owned by Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Bauchi, Taraba, Osun and Lagos states.

Rivers, which owed its workers between three and 10 months’ salaries as of June 20, 2015, has two private jets and one helicopter. These are Bombardier Global 5000 acquired for $45m (N8.9bn); Embraer Legacy 600, which goes for about $16m (N3.152bn); and an Augusta Westland helicopter, which goes for about $10m (N1.97bn), according to aircraftcompare.com, an online aviation portal that provides estimated prices of aircraft.

The Taraba State Government owns two Embraer ERJ 145, with each going for $21m (N4.13bn), according to aircraftcompare.com. Thus, the two planes cost about N8.27bn. The state government, however, does not owe its workers.

Akwa Ibom, which as of June 20 had cleared all outstanding workers’ salaries, owns an American-made Gulfstream G450, which according to aircraftcompare.com, costs $38.9m (N7.66bn).

Osun has a French-made Eurocopter ASS 355 helicopter it said was acquired for N500m ($2.538m at the current official exchange rate of N197 to the United States dollar). As of June 20, the state owed its workers seven months’ salaries.

Cross River has a Bombardier Dash 8 that industry experts estimate to worth $10m (N1.97bn). Some of its workers are owed six months salaries, while others have two months’ outstanding.

Bauchi State, which as of June 20 owed two months’ salaries, has one Embraer ERJ 145, which costs $21m (N4.137bn), according to aircraftcompare.com.

Lagos, which is not indebted to its workers, has two Bell 412 helicopters, with each costing $6.7m (N1.319bn), according to aircraftcompare.com estimates. Thus, the two helicopters cost around $13.4m (N2.64bn). They were acquired under the Lagos State Security Trust Fund platform, an initiative of the state government and private partners.

The total cost of the 11 private jets and helicopters is estimated at $198.80m (N39.17bn).

According to airline chief executives and industry experts, airlines spend between 15 and 20 per cent of the cost of an aircraft on its operations yearly. They say that averagely, a little less than one-fifth of the cost of the plane is spent every year on insurance, flight and cabin crew, maintenance, fuelling, catering and other costs.

Going by the fact that at least 15 per cent of the cost is spent annually on running the private jets, it means that not less than $29.82m (N5.875bn) is spent every year as running costs on the jets by the seven state governments.

This is coming just as cash-strapped states seeking the release of President Muhammadu Buhari-approved bailout funds have indicated that they have no plan to sell their private jets and helicopters in order to ameliorate their ravaging economic condition.

Osun and Cross River states, which are currently seeking N34.988bn and N7.856bn respectively in loans from banks through the Federal Government bailout package, said rather than sell their private jets and helicopters, they had put them into commercial use by leasing them to some aviation companies.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, said, “We have put the aircraft, Bombardier Dash 8, under Aerocontractors Airlines for commercial purposes. We bought it so that it could be used to convey people to the Obudu Ranch.”

The Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Governor’s Office, Osun State, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, did not pick calls or respond to text messages sent to his mobile telephone, but the All Progressive Congress Chairman in the state, Mr. Adegboyega Famodun, had a few months ago said the state government had put the Eurocopter ASS 355 helicopter into commercial use by leasing it to an airline.

He, however, said the state normally recalled it whenever it needed it.

Bauchi State, which is seeking N8.6bn in bailout funds from the Federal Government, could not readily comment on whether it would sell or put for lease its Embraer ERJ 145.

The plane is expected to return back to the country from Morocco any time from now, the state government said two weeks ago.

An official of the state government, Mr. Chad Mohammed, said the new administration was just settling down and that those competent to speak on the matter would get in touch with our correspondent. As of the time of filing this report, they had yet to do so.

Osun of all states....Osun and Bauchi government need brain transplant as matter of urgency.

Nah Osun own dey vex me pass.

Rivers, which owed its workers between three and 10 months’ salaries as of June 20, 2015, has two private jets and one helicopter. These are Bombardier Global 5000 acquired for $45m (N8.9bn); Embraer Legacy 600, which goes for about $16m (N3.152bn); and an Augusta Westland helicopter, which goes for about $10m (N1.97bn), according to aircraftcompare.com, an online aviation portal that provides estimated prices of aircraft.

Amaechi's plan was to destroy rivers state and punish riverians in his bid to use OUR state's jet to actualise GMB's ambition. I'm so proud of Darius Ishaku of Taraba state and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state for meeting up worker's wages/salaris. More grace to the stature of our amiable Bar Nyesome Wike.

doublewisdom:
Nah Osun own dey vex me pass.

If you talk now na Wailer dem go call you, yet they are being misled and misrule, failing to realise this is a Democracy and your leaders are accountable to you for every single action.
Welcome back TonyeBarcanista!!

Amaechi's plan was to destroy Rivers state by all means but I thank God for today sha..

Godswill was/is a true son of d soil..he made sure there was'nt any outstanding debt left before leaving office.

Since some of d debtor's state has decided to put their jets/helicopters into commercial use what then happened to that of Rivers state? Or wer'nt they reached?

madridguy:
Osun of all states....Osun and Bauchi government need brain transplant as matter of urgency.

Don't hold the Government responsible, I put all blame on the governed.
The mentality of serf and sovereign needs to die for Nigeria to move forward.
Watch as some serfs will invade this thread soon and try to derail, insult, and defend their masters.

Aregbese too!
Anyway, its good for the Federal government to set a cieling for state government loans in terms of GDP and not Oil money.
Else, we would wake up to realise one day that the Nigeria is owned by creditors.

Good point bro.

BushidoBlue:


Don't hold the Government responsible, I put all blame on the governed.
The mentality of serf and sovereign needs to die for Nigeria to move forward.
Watch as some serfs will invade this thread soon and try to derail, insult, and defend their masters.

Why can't the state assembly impeach those baboons. Some people would be blaming the federal government while their states does worst things.

madridguy:
Good point bro.

Thank you.
I believe in the truth above any personality

Where re d private jets sef

madridguy:
Osun of all states....Osun and Bauchi government need brain transplant as matter of urgency.

g

Osu state flying on top of their cities!

Nonentiteees!!

These governors need to understand public sector accounting and run states like a business with an income statement and a statement of financial position with the shareholders being the citizens. Some of these guys are business owners and certainly don't run their personal businesses the way they run their states.

Jwhizzy:
These governors need to understand public sector accounting and run states like a business with an income statement and a statement of financial position with the shareholders being the citizens. Some of these guys are business owners and certainly don't run their personal businesses the way they run their states.

The question then would be why impoverish Nigerians for Political gain?

Please just say amen

May the Lord deal with all these governors and more regardless of the party they belong to.