House of Reps Committee Recommends Two New Aircraft For Tinubu and Shettima
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged the federal government to acquire two new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima to avert any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that could occur due to operational failures of Nigeria’s Presidential fleet.
In May, the House of Representatives mandated the committee to conduct a “comprehensive investigation” into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status. This resolution was prompted by a motion sponsored by Satomi Ahmed, Chairman of the House Committee.
Ahmed’s motion followed reports of faulty aircraft within the presidential fleet, which recently forced the president to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during an official trip. Additionally, Vice-President Shettima had to cancel his trip to the United States due to a malfunctioning aircraft. Shettima was scheduled to represent President Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit.
In a report released after the investigation, the committee emphasised the importance of upgrading the fleet for national security reasons.
“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that, considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising 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 stated.
The report further argued that acquiring new aircraft would be cost-efficient in the long run and provide a safe and suitable means of travel for the nation’s highest offices.
“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 the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the committee noted.
After engaging with officials from the presidential air fleet, the sub-committee recommended the purchase of new aircraft. This recommendation was subsequently adopted by the main committee.
“The committee would set up a technical committee to interface with the officials at the presidential air fleet and come up with a resolution,” Ahmed briefed journalists after a meeting with O. Oyesola, the commandant of the presidential air fleet.
