By Goodluck Ikiebe
President Bola Tinubu-led administration has unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased under his leadership.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who released the pictures, said it replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onanuga, however, did not reveal the amount spent by the Nigerian Goverment to acquire the new presidential jet.
He said it saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
Onanuga said, “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.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has departed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for France.
The Airbus A330 business jet conveyed the President and some of his key aides from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 04:08 pm, on Monday.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, announced that the President will embark on his fourth trip to the European country on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
