Nigeria’s federal government is selling three ageing presidential jets to reduce excessive spending on fleet maintenance. The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recently recommended purchasing two new aircraft for the president and vice-president.
Selling the three jets will cut the presidential air fleet by half, according to TheCable. The fleet currently includes six airplanes and four helicopters, maintained by the presidential air fleet (PAF), an arm of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The current fleet includes a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7x, and a Challenger CL605.
Insiders noted that at least half of the fleet consists of unserviceable or failing aircraft, prompting the need to dispose of those considered a greater burden. The jets up for sale are a Boeing 737 BBJ, one Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x, as understood by TheCable.
The federal government has appointed JetHQ, a US-based airline marketer, as the broker for the sale. An exclusive marketing agreement has been signed, allowing the company to value and market the three aircraft.
Proceeds from the sale are expected to fund the purchase of a new jet for the fleet, with a search ongoing. A senior official familiar with the fleet management noted, “We saw the report and recommendation by the lawmakers. But the truth is that we cannot afford to buy two aircraft at a go, even though we are selling off others. The approval now is to find one whose cost is not too much that we can augment with what we raise from this sale.”