In an updated information reaching Becksblog.com.ng, that the Federal Government has put three aging presidential jets up for sale. This decision aims to cut down on excessive fleet maintenance costs.
Officials from the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence have suggested acquiring two new aircraft for the president and vice president, a recommendation also supported by Shehu Buba Umar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, as reported by Osun Defender.
Selling these three jets will reduce the presidential air fleet, currently consisting of six planes and four helicopters, by half.
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 a Challenger CL605.
Sources indicate that at least half of the fleet is either unserviceable or frequently malfunctioning, leading to the sale of the more problematic jets.
The jets up for sale are a Boeing 737 BBJ, the president’s designated aircraft, a Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x.
The Federal Government has enlisted JetHQ, a US-based airline marketer, to broker these sales, according to multiple reports.
JetHQ has an exclusive marketing agreement to evaluate and market the three aircraft. The proceeds from these sales will be used to purchase a new jet for the fleet, which is currently being sought.
A senior official involved in fleet management noted that while the recommendation was to buy two new aircraft, financial limitations might only allow for one, supplemented by the sales proceeds.
It was also revealed that JetHQ has submitted three bids from potential buyers to the Office of the National Security Adviser. Despite receiving offers for the BBJ and the Falcon 7x, the NSA is holding out for a better deal instead of accepting a disadvantageous one.
NSA spokesman Zakari Mijinyawa confirmed the sale process but did not provide further details.
