If nothing changes at the last minute, a request for a new presidential jet is set to be included in a supplementary budget that will be presented to the National Assembly tomorrow (Thursday). The development has taken place after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mentioned the additional budget for the 2024 fiscal year in his address to the combined session of the Senate and House of Representatives on May 29.
According to sources, the supplementary appropriation bill will include the cost of the new jet. It was earlier reported that three aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) have been made available for sale in order to offset the expenses.
A source revealed , “The Presidency has put three jets on sale to fund the purchase of a new one for the President.”
Next week, the supplementary appropriation bill will be sent to the National Assembly, containing the specifics of the jet’s purchase. Sources are optimistic that the Assembly will promptly review the bill due to the pressing nature of the request. The need for a new presidential jet has become critical because the existing aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet are in poor condition. President Tinubu has been using chartered planes for official trips, including a recent visit to South Africa for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration.
In addition, Vice President Kashim Shettima had to cancel a last-minute trip to the United States due to issues with his official aircraft.The need for a new presidential jet has become critical because the existing aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet are in poor condition.
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