Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by rozayx5(m): 6:59am On Dec 03, 2015 |
Punch Editorial Board
THE recent controversy stirred by the cost of maintaining the fleet of presidential aircraft is quite disturbing, especially coming at a time when the country is going through some very serious financial difficulties. At times like this, all the attention and energy of the government should be channelled towards steering the ship of state through the current turbulence into clear and still waters.
According to a statement from a presidential aide, “only” N2.3 billion has been released since the inauguration of the present administration for the upkeep of the Presidential Air Fleet, instead of the rumoured N6 billion. Garba Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said the amount covered “personnel costs, overheads and capital expenditure out of the sum of N5,190, 381,386 appropriated for PAF in the 2015 budget.” That is a patently disingenuous argument coming from a government that promised to rebuild a battered country. Further explanations showed that the fleet is made up of 10 aircraft, which should actually be the main cause for concern here.
What is the Presidency doing with 10 aircraft in a country where states cannot afford to meet their monthly obligations of paying workers’ salaries? This is a country where state governors, citing hard times, declared that their monthly income could no longer sustain the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage. It should also not be forgotten that President Muhammadu Buhari declared at different fora recently that the country was broke, a result of the mismanagement of the economy by the spendthrifts that had been running the government before now.
While painting a gloomy picture of the Nigerian state recently, the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, declared that about 110 million Nigerians still lived below poverty line, despite policies pursued by previous administrations in the country to reduce poverty. “When you look at the economic and social policies, and you look at the level of illiteracy in parts of the country, some are extremely bad and some with cases of about 80 per cent or 90 per cent of children out of school, and other cases of unimaginable decayed infrastructure,” he told visiting members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
Agreed that there was no iota of truth in the claim that N6 billion of taxpayers’ money was lavished on this “pet project,” yet, there is also no justification whatsoever for the President running a fleet of 10 aircraft and allowing N2.3 billion to go into its maintenance in just five months. At that rate, the maintenance of presidential aircraft would gulp about N5 billion per annum.
There is no doubt that the PAF is an inheritance of Nigeria’s profligate past, when oil, Nigeria’s main revenue earner, sold for over $100 per barrel. But things have since changed. The current realities suggest an adjustment. With oil prices now hovering around $40pb, down from an all-time high of $147pb in 2008, the government that has openly told the world that Nigeria is broke has no business flirting with ostentation.
This was the message from a former president of Malawi, Joyce Banda, when she assumed office in 2012. Determined to lead by example, not by precept, she sold off the only presidential jet and a fleet of 60 Mercedes Benz limousines bequeathed to her, saying, “I can use private airlines. I am already used to hitchhiking.” And when she was invited by Patience Jonathan to deliver a keynote address at the Global Power Women Network Africa, Banda gladly accepted the invitation on the condition that she would be flown to and fro Abuja on one of the numerous jets in Nigeria’s presidential fleet. Needless to say, while her request was granted, the lesson was lost on the prodigals in Abuja. But then, the incident raised larger questions about our values.
Ordinarily, this show of affluence should come more naturally from the rich and developed economies. But it is instructive that such countries are even thriftier in their use of taxpayers’ money. In the United Kingdom, for instance, it is common for both the Queen and Prime Minister to travel in chartered and sometimes scheduled flights, despite having additional support from a fleet of Augusta A109 helicopters, BAE-125 mid-sized business jets and BAE-146 from regional airliners.
The favoured airline for regular flights is the British Airways. But for her visit to Germany in June, the Queen travelled in an aircraft owned by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. In July 2010, when the Prime Minister travelled to the United States in a commercial flight, he reportedly saved his country $300,000. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia boasts just two aircraft for its king, a Boeing 747-300 and Boeing 747-400. In the case of Tunisia, there are also two aircraft, which the authorities are contemplating selling off, according to reports.
As a President that promised change during his electioneering, there is no better way for Buhari to start than by selling some of the airplanes. Nigeria does not need them. He has already demonstrated his aversion for obscene opulence by rejecting plans to buy five new armoured Mercedes Benz S-600 (V222) cars worth about N400 million for the State House. He had also turned down an offer to ride in a Rolls Royce during a private visit to London shortly before he was inaugurated in May.
It is only a government that has suffered a serious disconnect with the people that will continue on this unholy path of profligacy at a time when the revenues accruing to the country have recorded shortfalls of more than 60 per cent. It is outright delusional to demand from Nigerians a Spartan existence when the government itself continues with its lavish ways.
Copyright PUNCH.
http://punchng.com/buhari-cut-cost-discard-presidential-fleet/lalasticlala he is on his way to south africa. when he is back u can tell him 34 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by kurt09(m): 7:00am On Dec 03, 2015 |
He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the.... 4 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Demmocrats(m): 7:01am On Dec 03, 2015 |
Sai baba 1 Like |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by disloman(m): 7:01am On Dec 03, 2015 |
What do you want us to do about this? 3 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Nobody: 7:02am On Dec 03, 2015 |
We love him like this 53 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by bigtt76(f): 7:05am On Dec 03, 2015 |
Hahaha na today? |
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Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by ademega(m): 7:14am On Dec 03, 2015 |
I trust Mr president |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by BushidoBlue(m): 7:35am On Dec 03, 2015 |
ademega: I trust Mr president I'm sure you didn't read the post. He has spent more in 6months than GEJ spent in 2 years. 57 Likes 8 Shares |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Dannyset(m): 7:36am On Dec 03, 2015 |
If all other APC Governors can see Nigeria and Nigerians the way the President sees it, Okorocha won't have awarded N600million for Xmas decoration. 21 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by rozayx5(m): 9:57am On Dec 03, 2015 |
Dannyset: If all other APC Governors can see Nigeria and Nigerians the way the President sees it, Okorocha won't have awarded N600million for Xmas decoration. u dey mindam 3 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by PRYCE(m): 10:15am On Dec 03, 2015 |
Oya Now! |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by tolexy007(m): 10:30am On Dec 03, 2015 |
b |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by rozayx5(m): 11:25am On Dec 03, 2015 |
lalasticlala 2 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by PassingShot(m): 11:46am On Dec 03, 2015 |
BushidoBlue:
I'm sure you didn't read the post.
He has spent more in 6months than GEJ spent in 2 years. Evidence? 10 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by rozayx5(m): 8:24am On Dec 18, 2015 |
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Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Kelvin0(m): 9:34am On Dec 18, 2015 |
F |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by braine(m): 9:34am On Dec 18, 2015 |
I actually expected him to have discarded those planes by now. 16 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by sexaddict08(m): 9:34am On Dec 18, 2015 |
baba, I don dey tired ooo... this cutting cost everyday never start dey yield anything ooo. Make start dey cut d dollars ooo 1 Like |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by romzihe: 9:34am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Ok |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by looseweight: 9:34am On Dec 18, 2015 |
After travelling throughout the world 7 Likes 2 Shares |
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Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by repogirl(f): 9:35am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Why will he cut it? You don't want baba to flenjure and enjoy this his presidency after he has fought for it for years? Taking worldly vacations to anywhere he likes and collecting as many travel allowances (DTA) as he can? Punch editorial, you people are bad advisers! That's why he listens to good advice from only people like Elrufai and his brothers! 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by swizken89: 9:35am On Dec 18, 2015 |
okay
Check my signature for the latest J.Cole's album |
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Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Sijo01(f): 9:35am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Hope this will not be only on paper? |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by Renyleey: 9:35am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Ok |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by tomholly: 9:36am On Dec 18, 2015 |
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Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by anonimi: 9:36am On Dec 18, 2015 |
He CANNOT because he loves touring the world in his presidential jets as a child loves his toys Let us forget that he promised he would turn all the jets over to Nigeria Airways when he was campaigning.Let us forget that, shall we www.nairaland.com/attachments/2856745_france1_jpegbcac12e5182a39792bfe884c7ba4f4fd www.nairaland.com/attachments/2534006_bac_jpegc61aa2b5c36e6eaed9536f13d8712e19 GMB Speech While Addressing Nigeria Community In The United Kingdom.
I Will Maintain a modest lifestyle as President -Muhammadu Buhari.
“One of the major killers of our economy apart from corruption is waste. Our scarce resources are being plundered away very carelessly and unnecessarily wasted. Let me give an instance, presently, there are more than 6 aircraft in the presidential fleet. What do you call that? Billions of naira is budgeted every year for the maintenance of these aircraft not to talk of operational cost and other expenses.
You may want to ask what a Nigerian President is doing with so many aircraft when a Prime Minister of Britain fly around using the same public aircraft like an ordinary Briton.
Go and check and compare with that of any developed country in the world, the office of the Nigerian President is a very expensive one inspite our high level of poverty, lack and joblessness. Despite all these, you still find a Nigerian Minister spending about N10billion to charter an aircraft for just one year. Now, for me, when we come into office, all these waste will be blocked and properly channelled into our economy. We intend for instance, to bring back our National carrier, the Nigerian airways. [size=14pt]We shall do this by bringing all the aircraft in the presidential fleet into the Nigerian airways[/size] and within a year increase the fleet into about 20.
More from: http://www.osundefender.org/?p=217159 27 Likes 7 Shares |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by luvinhubby(m): 9:36am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Passingshot please come and defend your principal & party. Common sense is nonsense to Nigerians that is why we voted in liars as our leaders. 7 Likes |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by kennyman2000(m): 9:37am On Dec 18, 2015 |
Hmmmm.... Oga buhari, na the dollar make you work on now.. 300 to a dollar is sadonic... Do something before what happened in 1821 happened again ooooo..... Anyone who's willing to know what happened in 1821 should go and meet his or her great great great grandparents to ask or better still SMS 1821 events to 31111 with your mtn sim. 1 Like |
Re: Buhari, Cut Cost, Discard Presidential Fleet - PUNCH by awomike4u(m): 9:37am On Dec 18, 2015 |
K |