President Tinubu Departs for Paris on New Airbus A330, Replacing Aging Boeing B737-700 Amid Controversy
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On Monday, President Tinubu departed Abuja for Paris aboard a new Airbus A330. This aircraft has replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) that was acquired during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure.
President Tinubu’s departure from Abuja to Paris on Monday was announced by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The trip was made aboard a new Airbus A330, which has replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) that was purchased during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. The Tinubu administration’s acquisition of a new aircraft has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the decision amid the country’s challenging economic situation.
The Senate has faced criticism for approving the purchase of a new presidential jet during a time of economic hardship, with accusations of indifference to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted claims that the Senate received such a request from the Presidency at the time but indicated that lawmakers would review the request if it is formally submitted in the future. Onanuga has confirmed the acquisition of the new plane, which had previously been the subject of speculation. He stated that the aircraft was purchased at a significantly lower price than the market value, resulting in substantial savings for Nigeria on maintenance and fuel costs, amounting to millions of dollars annually.
The decision to replace the B737-700 (BBJ) came after an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament, which raised concerns about the aircraft’s safety record and cost efficiency.
The move was prompted by a malfunction that occurred during a trip to Saudi Arabia. He added that the Nigerian Senate’s Security and Intelligence Committee recommended replacing the aging aircraft in the presidential fleet to minimize downtime and reduce operational expenses.
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