President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off his campaign to cut government expenditure by mandating the sale of nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet.
President Muhammadu Buhari has given clear instructions that nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet be sold, as part of the federal government’s efforts to cut costs.
According to industry sources, the presidential fleet, which are registered as Nigerian Air Force aircraft, is one of the largest in Africa and the third largest in Nigeria after Arik Air and Aero Contractors.
Source privy to the directive,revealed that the presidency has a number of serviceable and unserviceable aircraft that need to be disposed of in order to reduce the amount spent by the federal government for aircraft maintenance annually.
“Nine, which still have market value, are to be sold immediately to reduce maintenance costs,” a source said.
It was also gathered that over the years, the federal government has spent over N12 billion annually for the maintenance of the presidential fleet.