UPDATE 1-Nigeria buys presidential jets, borrows to fund polls
Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:48pm GMT Print | Single Page[-] Text [+]
* Purchase of jets earmarked in 2010 budget

* High government spending means increased borrowing

* Government bond issue planned to fund election

(Adds details throughout)

By Felix Onuah

ABUJA, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Nigeria's cabinet approved the purchase of three new presidential jets on Wednesday, a day after Africa's most populous nation said it would have to raise debt to fund elections in less than six months.

President Goodluck Jonathan has not yet said whether he will contest the polls, but most Nigerians expect him to do so, particularly given recent announcements from his administration -- ranging from pledges to boost power supply to building more roads -- that suggest he has plans beyond next January.

He named two northern politicians from the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) as junior cabinet ministers on Wednesday, in what some analysts said looked like a move to undermine the cohesion of the rival party.

The cabinet approved the purchase of two Falcon 7X aircraft from France's Dassault Aviation and one Gulfstream G550 from the U.S. planemaker for the presidential fleet at a cost of $150 million

Jakumo:

In Nigeria's case, Jonathan Goodluck will cruise the Nigerian skies wooing investors and business partners aboard those jets, any of which are also capable of the range to take El Presidente on European state trips.

GAR3TH:

@ Dis Guy
every ountry has a presidential plane/jet

@topic
smh

Kobojunkie:

In much the same way Yar adua did?

Dis Guy:

Some richer countries dont even have presidential Jets yet this dude think nigeria deserve to be in debt just so his wife can fly to Dubai unhindered!!

~Bluetooth:

First it was presidential ship and now presidential jets,yet millions of nigeria are seriously hungry. .why is jonathan synonymous with lavishness ?

Dis Guy:

Jonathan has not made any cuts since being president, he is busy sharing more money

No major policy on Health, Agriculture, Transport and Education just sharing money from excess crude oil!!

Dis Guy:

British Prime ministers use commercial airlines/chartered flights; i think

Dis Guy:

British Prime ministers use commercial airlines i think

chosen04:

Exactly, The humbly servant way . . . . . . . .Always good intentions BAD results

Perhaps one of the most controversial air transports for a head of state was that of Zaire leader [size=14pt]Mobutu Sese Seko, who leased a supersonic Concorde in the late 1980s and early 1990s[/size]. The jet, obtained from Air France, was based at Gbadolite and was not only used for diplomatic missions but also for European shopping trips for the ruler's wealthy family. There was also a Boeing 707 (registration number 9T-MSS) that was used for a while and has been stored in Lisbon since 1996, as well as a Boeing 727 (9Q-RDZ).

GAR3TH:

no they have a jets, here is a complete list of countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_heads_of_state_and_government

Beaf:

There is a special section of the airforce that is dedicated to flying only the prime minister and royal family, thats way more than what Nigeria has. The prime minister also flies by chartered jets.

This link takes you to the UK section of a wikipedia article on presidential planes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_heads_of_state_and_government#United_Kingdom

The plans received opposition from many groups; the Conservative Party condemned diverting public funds to the project from core services like health, and the Liberal Democrats and pressure groups including Transport 2000 and Friends of the Earth condemned the environmental impact of personal jet travel.[27] [size=14pt]The UK is the only G8 country without dedicated ministerial aircraft[/size]; Peter Gershon's report also argued that chartered planes involve security risks. Tony Blair's 2006 trip to South Africa was highlighted as an example of the problems of relying on such aircraft.[28]
[edit] Cancellation

On 27 March 2008, Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced via a written statement to the House of Commons that the government's plans to lease two aircraft for the sole use of the Royal Family and senior ministers had been scrapped.[29]

His statement read: "I am recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties.

This approach ensures[b] better value for money[/b] for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated 10% saving on CO2 emissions."

The purchase of one small plane for travel within the UK was approved by the government in March 2008, and it was anticipated that RAF would discontinue service on 1 April 2009[10] but in March 2009 the £7m 12-seater private jet plans were halted by recession. The government has decided that the Queen and Royal Family will continue to fly on No. 32 Squadron aircraft for the next year to defer the cost of a new aircraft during the economic slowdown.[11] The replacement helicopter for The Queen's Helicopter Flight still took place in November 2009.

~Bluetooth:

Kobo abeg stop it. . .the jets that were bought are tokunbo and you may be charge for seditions if you keep posting this info.ask gbenga Aruleba.
that is exactly what jonathan is planning to do now. .buy a tokunbo plane and use the other money for his campaign.