By Salif Atojoko
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday departed Abuja for Paris using the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) bought under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the new plane would save Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs running into millions of dollars a year.
He also said the new plane was bought below the market price, although he failed to state the exact amount the aircraft was bought.
“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,” said Onanuga. (NAN)
