…Keeps Cost Under Wraps
The Presidency has finally unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased under President Bola Tinubu, replacing the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, released pictures of the new plane on Monday, revealing that it was acquired at a price significantly lower than the market value.
While the exact cost of the new jet remains undisclosed, Onanuga emphasized that it will save Nigeria millions of dollars in maintenance and fuel costs annually.
“The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”
A top government official had earlier told Daily Trust that the aircraft could have been purchased under the Service Wide Vote, which he said, may not require the parliament’s assent.
Below are pictures of the aircraft:
