The Presidency has made a proposal for an upfront deposit of N1.5billion for a brand new private jet, which will become the Presidential Air Fleet’s (PAF) 11th aircraft. This figure is contained in the details of the 2014 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan through the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The Federal Government has budgeted another N1.52b for the maintenance of the 10 aircraft currently in the PAF in 2014 and it is now set to spend just about that amount on a new one. This prodigious squandering of taxpayers’ money is reckless and unacceptable.
The PAF already boasts two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulfstream IVSP. Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet. The combined estimated value of the PAF is about $390.5m (N60.53bn). According to industry experts, it costs a minimum of 20 per cent of that figure to maintain them annually. So we’re looking at about $58.57m (N9.08bn) yearly for maintenance. Private jets are money guzzlers either in the air or on land.
The proclivity of this administration for frivolous spending is well documented. The government has been severely criticised in the past for the colossal amount of embezzlement, rip-off and wastage that have been its hallmark. The rationale behind this new aircraft in the PAF must be condemned .
Apparently to hush the cacophony of voices that will rise in opposition to the proposed new jet, the Presidency in its usual deceitful manner, has made part payment for what can best be described as a completely unnecessary toy of comfort. The Nigerian PAF is already bloated. If he can’t travel in any of the 10 jets in PAF’s possession, then there’s absolutely no need for an eleventh one.
At a time we would think the numerous editorials and op-eds have succeeded in curbing waste and frivolities which this government now symbolises, then came this new proposal. We must continue to resist their recalcitrance. This lavish lifestyle must be checked.
The waste in government is also demonstrated in the large entourage that accompanies Mr. President on his foreign trips. One can only imagine the millions spent on hotel bills and estacodes that accrue to the government officials. According to reports, world leaders are stunned at the strangely large number of such entourage. The recent trip of President Jonathan in the first week of January this year to Kenya and the hullabaloo about his entourage are apt.
It is shocking that the same people who have budgeted millions for this new flying toy are aware that the country has no national carrier as I write. It is shameful that the PAF has about the third largest fleet of aircraft in the country with a total of 10 aircraft, coming closely behind Aero Contractors with 12 and Arik Air, the largest commercial airline in Nigeria with a fleet of 23 aircraft. What better example than the one given by a national leader like British Prime Minister, David Cameron, in 2010 when he slummed it in business class of a commercial airline flying from London to Washington. He was caught on camera swanning around the world in hired jets. He flies around the world on British Airways! Had it been in Nigeria, security risks, flight delays are few of the sundry reasons government officials would have given for not flying commercial airlines.

First to comment, ...settled.
On to the next one...cos I know anything to defame Jonathan makes front page.
1. No source.
2 even if u have source it's not credible.
So op......













Go




And









Die

Dis is unaceptable,haba,in a country wia d masses r dyin of hunger,dis govt dnt give a hoot abt d pp,i tire 4 dis country

pictures or go and die

where is the source of this lie

Sigh..... The end is near.... They should collect all the money and do whatever they want with it. I dont even care again. That's why I Cant even join the Nigerian army.
Our leaders make us fight
We don't know what for
If they want people killed
Let them fight the war.
No Leader Ib Nigeria is worth fighting for.

www.punchng.com/opinion/president-jonathans-11th-private-jet/

OP, put the source' link to the OP.

One single airport, e no dey Bayelsa even with the borku allocashun....the man dey buy Private jet for Abuja

Plenty people dey Bayelsa whey never see plane before...the man dey buy Private jet for Abuja

Some people don die for road ontop journey whey dem suppose fly plane but dem no fit because money no dey....the man dey buy Private jet for Abuja

Chineke *shakes yansh* God Bless Abuja and Aso Rock!


Frawzey