The Nigerian Presidency has released a statement, saying a little above two billion Naira, not an outlandish six billion, has so far been spent on maintenance of the presidential air fleet between May and now.
The amount spent, the government said, included salaries and repayment of old debts.
In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) ”expressed frustration at what he described as a fictional report that has caused the government a lot of negative reviews especially in the online media”.
The statement added, “The government is focused on solving the many major issues our country faces in the areas of the economy, corruption and security. Yet almost every week, the Presidency has to also deal with the distractions which do nothing but distract from the task of government.”
”Referring to documents he had requested from the Operational Office of the Presidential Fleet after his attention was drawn to the speculative report, Malam Shehu pointed out that the sum of N2.3 billion was released to the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation between May and November 2015. This includes releases for personnel cost, overhead and capital expenditure out of the sum of N5,190,381,386.00 appropriated for PAF on the 2015 budget.
”The documents also showed that the sum of N2,127,103,086.66 had so far been expended, leaving a balance of N172,568,912.34 from the amount released.
“However, the sum of N149,062,791.12 was transferred from the PAG’s operation account to the Treasury Single Account, following the President’s recent directive,” he said.
”He added that the sum of N23,801,122.17 remains unutilised out of the funds so far released. During the period 31 May 2015 till date, the Fleet expended the sum of N1,358,910,962.75 to settle outstanding liabilities carried over from last year till May 2015. Furthermore, the sum of N500 million was refunded to the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA for financial support rendered to the Fleet prior to release of funds from the OAGF.
”Thus, the Fleet expended the sum of N449,081,037.25 within the last months comprising N98,500,218.00 for operations, N165,373,176.91 on training and N85,500,116.75 on personnel medicals and overhead. Additionally, the sum of N99,715,493.51 was expended on aircraft maintenance, spares, and subscription services required for operations.
“Any of these documents could have been made available had the newspaper reached out to me or to any one of my colleagues. The damage to the image of government and the good management of the Presidential Air Fleet could have been avoided,” he said.
”The Senior Special,Assistant also put the number of aircraft on the Presidential fleet at 10, not 14 as cited by that report.
”He gave the inventory in the spirit of openness as transparency instituted by the Buahri administration as made up of:
PAF-AIRCRAFT INVENTORY
1. 1× 737 BBJ
2. 1× G550
3. 1× G500
4. 2× Falcon 7X
5. 1× HS 4000
6. 2× Agusta139
7. 2× Agusta 101
Total aircraft holdings 10.”‎

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/193382-‎presidency-reacts-to-report-buhari-spent-n6billion-on-presidential-air-fleet-in-6-months.html

just came here to book space!!


how em take concern me


dey av bin lying since d days of john d baptist



FTC.

well done
Below is the original story from APC's The Punch Newspaper.

http://punchng.com/fg-spends-n5-8bn-on-presidential-jets-in-six-months/

Detailed explanation and lovely response to criticism

Kudos to the government

I am a police man working in abuja securing your city, still I don't have enough money to rent a good accommodation still you kept mentioning all this bullion bullion bullion for nothing sake there's God

Good!

RoChas Now working, Operation no pot holes, Imo Must BE great Again

Little above 2 billion, can't this guy's be specific for once

Speechless

This Mallam Buhari is a FOOL.

You have the guts to spend 2.3billion on 10jets within 6months.

Yet you turn around to lament that the country is broke.

Why can't you sell atleast 2 or 3 jets to cut down on expenses.

Buhari you are a TERRORIST.

I will be sleeping tonite with empty stomach yet u people re sharing Billions of Naira..

Hibernating Thunder will strike some people ooo...

Mogidi:
well done
Below is the original story from APC's The Punch Newspaper.

http://punchng.com/fg-spends-n5-8bn-on-presidential-jets-in-six-months/

So punch is now APC's paper? It is no longer the Nation?

Chimezie250:
Little above 2 billion, can't this guy's be specific for once

2.3 billion, read the details

nicklaus40:


So punch is now APC's paper? It is no longer the Nation?

Did Tinubu tell you he can't afford to buy the entire Nigerian press?

this is extremely silly and insensitive ofll d presidency. Doels it need all the aircraft!

Mogidi:


Did Tinubu tell you he can't afford to buy the entire Nigerian press?

Yea he told me he can't

Mogidi:


Did Tinubu tell you he can't afford to buy the entire Nigerian press?

If only he could afford to buy you sense too.

sonOfLucifer:

If only he could afford to buy you sense too.

Considering the one you got from him, I think I'd pass.

The amount is still too much.......

nice facts in response to criticism.

Chimezie250:
Little above 2 billion, can't this guy's be specific for once

You are sooooo lazy to read the body of the thread and here you are advertising your stupidity.

Imagine. A little over 2bn, yet they can't pay oil marketers, we the common men and women on the streets have to suffer.thus people conned us all.

Mogidi:
well done
Below is the original story from APC's The Punch Newspaper.

http://punchng.com/fg-spends-n5-8bn-on-presidential-jets-in-six-months/

Comprehension is your problem because the writer of that piece clearly stated that it is an estimation and not actual amount spent. Now the govt released out the actual amount and the figure still you are here wailing like a cursed soul.















the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, findings by Saturday PUNCH have shown.

The PAF is the third largest fleet in the country, coming after Arik Air and Aerocontractors Airlines which have 23 and 12 aircraft in their fleets respectively.

Other domestic airlines including FirstNation, MedView Airlines, Dana Air, Air Peace and Overland Airways have less than 10 aircraft each in their fleets.

According to calculations done from estimated data obtained from aviation parastatals and domestic airline operators in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will have spent about $58.58m (N11.598bn) on running and maintaining the 10-aicraft presidential fleet by May 29 next year when it turns one year in office.

This means that the half of this amount, $29.29m (N5.799bn), is expected to have been spent in principle on the large fleet when administration turns six months in office by November 29.

According to findings, the PAF contains two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, one Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulfstream IVSP.

Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

Each of the two Falcon 7X jets were purchased in 2010 by the Federal Government for $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m, a former Minister of Information, the late Professor, Dora Akunyili, had said.

The factory price of other aircraft in the fleet could not be obtained online. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737-800 (Boeing Business Jet) at $58m, Cessna Citation at $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $15m.

This brings a combined estimated value of Nigeria’s PAF to $390.5m (N77.319bn).

According to airline chief executives and industry experts, airlines spend between 15 and 20 per cent of the cost of an aircraft on its operation 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 training.

Using the least figure of 15 per cent, it means that about $58.58m (N11.598bn) will be spent on the presidential fleet (which is valued at $390.5m or N77.319bn) when the new administration turns one year by May 29 next year.

Apparently, by November 29 when it turns six months in office, about half of this amount ($29.29m or N5.799bn) should have been budgeted for the running and maintenance of the planes.

According to the Nigerian Air Force’s website, the PAF’s current staff strength consists of 47 NAF officers, 173 airmen/airwomen and 96 technical and administrative civilians.

“The operational headquarters of the fleet is located at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while the administrative personnel are at the federal secretariat. The fleet has a liaison office at the Presidential Villa. Flight operations, training, aircraft maintenance and general running of the fleet are funded by the Presidency,” according to the website.

Nigeria happens to be one of few countries of the world with a large PAF.

Most major countries in Europe and Asia maintain two aircraft in their PAF, according to Wikipedia.

According to the online portal, Japan maintains only two Boeing 747-400 planes in its PAF.

The two aircraft, mostly for the prime minister, the emperor and his wife, and other members of the Imperial Family, is operated by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

The aircraft were constructed at the Boeing factory at the same time as the United States’ Air Force One. Both Japanese aircraft were delivered in 1990.

Wikipedia also states that the Netherlands government operates only two aircraft, a Fokker 70 and Gulfstream IV to transport the Dutch Royal family and government officials such as the Prime Minister and other ministers.

They are also used for international conferences and for private trips by the Queen and the Prince of Orange. For long haul trips, the Royal Dutch Airline is used. Often the upper deck of a Boeing 747 is used.

The Queen of England and the Prime Minister, David Cameron, often go on British Airways chartered flights for long trips. Cameron was recently criticised by the United Kingdom media for chartering a foreign plane instead of a British.

According to Wikipedia, the Royal Squadron of the Royal Air Force maintains a fleet of Agusta A109 helicopters, BAE-125 mid-sized business jet and BAE-146 regional airliner to support short travel by the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and senior members of the British Government.

Countries like Ghana, Algeria and a host of others in Europe maintain only one aircraft in their PAF.

A few weeks after his inauguration, Buhari had reportedly ordered the immediate disposal of some of the planes in the PAF.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, later denied knowledge of such directive.

“The story of the order for the sale of aircraft in the Presidential Fleet, about which so much interest is being expressed, is not known to us,” Shehu said.

The exact size of the PAF is treated as classified information and aviation sources believe the aircraft in the fleet is about 16.

Chief of the planes in the fleet is the Boeing 738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, used by the president for his travels.

With its luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms and showers, a conference and dinning area, and a living area, the plane seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100m to replace.

Eagle One can spend 12 hours in the air, covering 11,489 kilomtres or 6,200 nautical miles.

Apart from the Eagle One, the fleet boasts of Gulfstream 550 jet. The Gulfstream 550 can seat eight to 18 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a cruiser range of 12,501 kilometres or 6,750 nautical miles.

There are reports that Buhari may also order the sale of about 25 aircraft owned by ministries, departments and agencies.

These include Nigeria Customs Service, which has four aircraft namely two Bell helicopters, one Dornier 228 and one Cessna Citation private jet; the Nigerian Police Force, which has 10 helicopters and one Cessna Sovereign private jet; and the Nigeria Immigration Service, which has six aircraft that are being used for border patrol.

Others are the National Emergency Management Agency, which has four helicopters and one Cessna Encorprivate jet; the Ministry of Aviation, which has a Hawker Siddley calibration jet that is not being used; and the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria which has six German-made helicopters that are no longer serviceable.

Aviation experts said there was need for Buhari to reduce the size of the PAF.

The General Secretary, Aviation Round Table, an industry pressure group, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said Buhari needed to reduce the PAF and sell aircraft belonging to most of the MDAs.

A former Assistant General Secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammed Tukur, also said the aircraft could be sold to both airline operators and private individuals who could use them for commercial purposes.

He said that this could generate more revenue and create jobs.

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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

RollingStones:
This Mallam Buhari is a FOOL.

You have the guts to spend 2.3billion on 10jets within 6months.

Yet you turn around to lament that the country is broke.

Why can't you sell atleast 2 or 3 jets to cut down on expenses.

Buhari you are a TERRORIST.

If you read the report and wrote this trash
Then your brain is rolling in the Sahara desert

who presidential fleet don help?