There was a mild drama on the floor of the house of representatives this week as the house committee on national security and intelligence presented a report that recommended the federal government purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The committee’s recommendation came in a report released after its investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.
“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that, considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognizing the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended,” the report reads.
“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, apart from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The leadership of the house had mandated the committee to conduct a “comprehensive investigation” into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status, this, after the house passed a resolution on a motion sponsored by chairman of the house committee Satomi Ahmed.
Ahmed’s motion followed reports of faulty aircraft in the presidential air fleet, forcing the president to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during his recent trip abroad.
