The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged the Federal Government to acquire new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
This recommendation follows the committee’s detailed investigation into the current status of the presidential air fleet.
The committee’s report highlights the necessity for new aircraft, citing concerns over the technical and operational adequacy of the existing fleet.
“Given the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and the potential dire consequences of any mishap due to the current fleet’s inadequacy, it is in the nation’s best interest to procure two additional aircraft,” the report stated.
The recommendation is a cost-efficient measure in the long run, ensuring that the president and vice president have suitable, comfortable, and safe transportation befitting their offices.
In May, the House of Representatives commissioned a comprehensive investigation into the presidential fleet’s airworthiness, following a motion by Satomi Ahmed, chairman of the House Committee.
This move came after reports of faulty aircraft within the fleet, which had previously forced the president to charter a plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia.
