Presidency justifies new aircraft purchase, says it’s necessity

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, has berated Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his comments on the proposed purchase of a new presidential jet. He, however, described the purchase of a new jet for the President as a necessity.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has asked owners of private jets in the country to present their documents for verification. Recently, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence asked the Federal Government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima.

The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after an investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.

But Obi faulted the proposal, saying it highlighted the disconnect between the government and the people. Describing the proposal as unacceptable, he stressed the need for more compassionate use of resources and prioritising citizens’ welfare.

Reacting, Onanuga described the purchase of another aircraft as a necessity, adding that the proposal was the basic thing any sane government would do.

He said, “Does Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us.

“The plane he uses now, I learned, was bought during (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo’s era. That was over 20 years ago and I learned it was a very small plane. It developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to travel to the United Kingdom on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced.”

THE order to the private jet owners was contained in a notice through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).“The Customs announces a verification exercise for privately-owned aircraft operating in Nigeria. This exercise aims to identify improperly imported private aircraft without documentation, ensuring proper imports and maximum revenue collection.”

The exercise, which starts today from 10 am to 5.00 pm daily, is expected to last for 30 days in the Tariff and Trade Department Room, Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Wuse Zone 3 in Abuja.

According to the notice, owners and operators of private jets in the country are to come with some relevant documents, including aircraft Certificate of Registration, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Flight Operation Compliance Certificate, NCAA’s Maintenance Compliance Certificate, NCAA’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flights, and Temporary Import Permit (if applicable).

The development comes one year after the Federal Government put on hold the exercise. The government had planned to recover import duty running into billions of naira from some private jet operators, who had taken advantage of technical loopholes, to evade the payment of import duty.

According to the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, owners of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight Operations (PNCF) are prohibited from using their aircraft for transporting passengers, cargo, or mail for payment or compensation (commercial operations or charter services).

He said the directive aligns with Section 32 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022 and emphasised that the NCAA would take enforcement measures against any PNCF holder caught engaging in unauthorised operations, including suspension, withdrawal, or revocation of their Permit for Non-Commercial Flight.