According to reports, the federal government has put up three ageing presidential jets for sale in order to reduce excessive spending on fleet maintenance.
This decision is coming after the recommendation from the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which advised procuring two new aircraft for the president and vice president.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Shehu Buba Umar also backed this recommendation.
Meanwhile, selling the three aircraft will halve the current presidential air fleet, which currently includes six airplanes and four helicopters.
The fleet, managed by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), includes a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7x, and one Challenger CL605.
Sources revealed that at least half of the fleet consist of unserviceable or failing aircraft, prompting the need to dispose of those that are more burdensome.
The jets marked for sale are the president’s designated Boeing 737 BBJ, one Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x.
The government has appointed US-based airline marketer JetHQ as the broker for the sale.
It was gathered that an exclusive marketing agreement has been reached, allowing JetHQ to value and market the aircraft. Proceeds from the sale will be used to procure a new jet for the fleet, with an ongoing search for a cost-effective option.
“We noted the lawmakers’ report and recommendation. However, we cannot afford to buy two aircraft simultaneously, even with the sales. The approval now is to find one affordable jet, supplementing with the sale proceeds,” a senior fleet management official stated.
It was equally learnt that JetHQ has submitted three bids from buyers to the NSA for consideration. “We received two offers for the BBJ and one for the Falcon X. However, the NSA insists on pressing for a better deal rather than rushing into a bad one,” a PAF official involved in the process revealed anonymously.
Spokesman for the NSA, Zakari Mijinyawa confirmed the ongoing disposal process without providing further details.
