The Federal Government may have spent about N5.8bn on the 10-aircraft Presidential Air Fleet it inherited from the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, findings by Saturday PUNCH have shown.

The PAF is the third largest fleet in the country, coming after Arik Air and Aerocontractors Airlines which have 23 and 12 aircraft in their fleets respectively.

Other domestic airlines including FirstNation, MedView Airlines, Dana Air, Air Peace and Overland Airways have less than 10 aircraft each in their fleets.

According to calculations done from estimated data obtained from aviation parastatals and domestic airline operators in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will have spent about $58.58m (N11.598bn) on running and maintaining the 10-aicraft presidential fleet by May 29 next year when it turns one year in office.

This means that the half of this amount, $29.29m (N5.799bn), is expected to have been spent in principle on the large fleet when administration turns six months in office by November 29.

According to findings, the PAF contains two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, one Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulfstream IVSP.

Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

Each of the two Falcon 7X jets were purchased in 2010 by the Federal Government for $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m, a former Minister of Information, the late Professor, Dora Akunyili, had said.

The factory price of other aircraft in the fleet could not be obtained online. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737-800 (Boeing Business Jet) at $58m, Cessna Citation at $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $15m.

This brings a combined estimated value of Nigeria’s PAF to $390.5m (N77.319bn).

According to airline chief executives and industry experts, airlines spend between 15 and 20 per cent of the cost of an aircraft on its operation yearly. They say that averagely, a little less than one-fifth of the cost of the plane is spent every year on insurance, flight and cabin crew, maintenance, fuelling, catering and training.

Using the least figure of 15 per cent, it means that about $58.58m (N11.598bn) will be spent on the presidential fleet (which is valued at $390.5m or N77.319bn) when the new administration turns one year by May 29 next year.

Apparently, by November 29 when it turns six months in office, about half of this amount ($29.29m or N5.799bn) should have been budgeted for the running and maintenance of the planes.

According to the Nigerian Air Force’s website, the PAF’s current staff strength consists of 47 NAF officers, 173 airmen/airwomen and 96 technical and administrative civilians.

“The operational headquarters of the fleet is located at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while the administrative personnel are at the federal secretariat. The fleet has a liaison office at the Presidential Villa. Flight operations, training, aircraft maintenance and general running of the fleet are funded by the Presidency,” according to the website.

Nigeria happens to be one of few countries of the world with a large PAF.

Most major countries in Europe and Asia maintain two aircraft in their PAF, according to Wikipedia.

According to the online portal, Japan maintains only two Boeing 747-400 planes in its PAF.

The two aircraft, mostly for the prime minister, the emperor and his wife, and other members of the Imperial Family, is operated by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.

The aircraft were constructed at the Boeing factory at the same time as the United States’ Air Force One. Both Japanese aircraft were delivered in 1990.

Wikipedia also states that the Netherlands government operates only two aircraft, a Fokker 70 and Gulfstream IV to transport the Dutch Royal family and government officials such as the Prime Minister and other ministers.

They are also used for international conferences and for private trips by the Queen and the Prince of Orange. For long haul trips, the Royal Dutch Airline is used. Often the upper deck of a Boeing 747 is used.

The Queen of England and the Prime Minister, David Cameron, often go on British Airways chartered flights for long trips. Cameron was recently criticised by the United Kingdom media for chartering a foreign plane instead of a British.

According to Wikipedia, the Royal Squadron of the Royal Air Force maintains a fleet of Agusta A109 helicopters, BAE-125 mid-sized business jet and BAE-146 regional airliner to support short travel by the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and senior members of the British Government.

Countries like Ghana, Algeria and a host of others in Europe maintain only one aircraft in their PAF.

A few weeks after his inauguration, Buhari had reportedly ordered the immediate disposal of some of the planes in the PAF.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, later denied knowledge of such directive.

“The story of the order for the sale of aircraft in the Presidential Fleet, about which so much interest is being expressed, is not known to us,” Shehu said.

The exact size of the PAF is treated as classified information and aviation sources believe the aircraft in the fleet is about 16.

Chief of the planes in the fleet is the Boeing 738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, used by the president for his travels.

With its luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms and showers, a conference and dinning area, and a living area, the plane seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100m to replace.

Eagle One can spend 12 hours in the air, covering 11,489 kilomtres or 6,200 nautical miles.

Apart from the Eagle One, the fleet boasts of Gulfstream 550 jet. The Gulfstream 550 can seat eight to 18 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a cruiser range of 12,501 kilometres or 6,750 nautical miles.

There are reports that Buhari may also order the sale of about 25 aircraft owned by ministries, departments and agencies.

These include Nigeria Customs Service, which has four aircraft namely two Bell helicopters, one Dornier 228 and one Cessna Citation private jet; the Nigerian Police Force, which has 10 helicopters and one Cessna Sovereign private jet; and the Nigeria Immigration Service, which has six aircraft that are being used for border patrol.

Others are the National Emergency Management Agency, which has four helicopters and one Cessna Encorprivate jet; the Ministry of Aviation, which has a Hawker Siddley calibration jet that is not being used; and the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria which has six German-made helicopters that are no longer serviceable.

Aviation experts said there was need for Buhari to reduce the size of the PAF.

The General Secretary, Aviation Round Table, an industry pressure group, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said Buhari needed to reduce the PAF and sell aircraft belonging to most of the MDAs.

A former Assistant General Secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammed Tukur, also said the aircraft could be sold to both airline operators and private individuals who could use them for commercial purposes.

He said that this could generate more revenue and create jobs.

Sources
http://punchng.com/fg-spends-n5-8bn-on-presidential-jets-in-six-months/

FTC

For the 2ndtime yet no show.

Exactly what do people gain from this or is nairaland cheating me??

Cc Lalasticala.

Prayers for LIGHT.

one chance govt

calebo101:

After deceiving the gullibles mostly in the North and South West. They do the complete opposite thing. I really feel for those youths that sold their votes over a plate of meal and 5k monthly . My condolences on the death of your Almajiri dreams
All campaign promises denied, . Each day I wake up I thank God I never voted for an illiterate to be president. And if presented with same opportunity tomorrow, i'll happily do the same. .

Fits your ideological priors so perfectly!

It's hard for anyone to dispel whatever notions you may have of the president.

Beyond just that, it's even more difficult to decipher whether you are dead-brained or it's sheer knack for stupidity.

You're as literate but allow illiterates to dictate your fate? What good is your education, then?

You're helpless!


@those quoting me, I know that morons abound on nairaland much as there are sane brilliant minds.
So continue...defending like minds is allowed!

I hope you wailers are prepared to do this for the Next 4yrs? And do people even real at all. That post is not saying the president spent money on buying new air planes or incurring any extra expenses. Pls read out de first sentence. It is only spending that money to maintain the air planes bought by the previous administration. Maybe you still dont understand. Let me use a simple example to illustrate. "IF YOUr FATHER RENTS A DUPLEX FOR YOU AND Suddenly dies towards de expiration of the rent, when the time for payment comes, i wonder who is going to pay the rent? Now you have two choices, first choice is you bear the huge cost and pay the rent. Second option you agree the cost is to much and so you relocate to much more cheaper and affordable house. Now if am not mistaken one of the few promises made by buhari upon assumption of office is to sell some of the air planes so as to minimize cost. Now what i expect any rational mind to do is concentrate on reminding him of that promise! Now has baba forgotten?

Shey Buhari said the planes in d fleet are too many and he'll sell some or convert them into Nigerian airways when elected. Politicians? They're all the same. No one better among them

Koleman:
I hope you wailers are prepared to do this for the Next 4yrs?

The joke is on you .

Your so-called wailers already saw it coming ,my sincere condolence goes to your kind that are still waiting for the monthly 5k stipend which still won't solve your endemic poverty and your inbred parasitic nature, that is if it ever comes.

kontinu........Hungry awaits you and your kind for the next four years.

Koleman:
I hope you wailers are prepared to do this for the Next 4yrs?

How do you define a wailer Its either you are of the prevellagencia or a stack idiiot.

Truckpusher:
The joke is on you .

Your so-called wailers already saw it coming ,my sincere condolence goes to your kind that are still waiting for the monthly 5k stipend which still won't solve your endemic poverty and your inbred parasitic nature, that is if it ever comes.

kontinu........Hungry awaits you and your kind for the next four years.

i wonder wat you are quoting! Clearly everyone can see there is only one hungry person here.

fulaniHERDSman:

How do you define a wailer Its either you are of the prevellagencia or a stack idiiot.

i wonder wat you are quoting because clearly everyone can now see who the true idiioot Is. Thanks letting us know dat

Koleman:
i wonder wat you are quoting! Clearly there is only someone hungry here.

Keep deceiving yourself by yourself.

Nemesis will soon catch up with you.

Truckpusher:
Keep deceiving yourself by yourself.

Nemesis will soon catch up with you.

no need invoking nemesis. Prove to us who the hungry one is!

Buhari is a total fraud.... Made up all sorts of lies to decide some gullible Nigerians... It's just still business as usual... Yet some idiotic remnants will still come here to defend him....

Make them paint am yellow and black stripe (lagos danfo colour) asap and commercialise its activities . No long thing.

They should sell some. See expenses wey jonathan leave for us

If baba does not sell all those jets before may 29 2016,, he will be classified a failure!

Those close to him (on NL) better advise accordingly. Infact those jets should av been the first casualty of change!

NB:am an unrepentant buhari fanatic

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo.

This report is not correct.

Buhari cannot be this WICKED To Nigeria.

You spent so much time to type words to diss him but failed to address any of the issues he raised.


Are you running away from the truth? I hope not.

malton:

Fits your ideological priors so perfectly!

It's hard for anyone to dispel whatever notions you may have of the president.

Beyond just that, it's even more difficult to decipher whether you are dead-brained or it's sheer knack for stupidity.

You're as literate but allow illiterates to dictate your fate? What good is your education, then?

You're helpless!

These APSHITS are so shameless. They should be burying their faces in shame instead of e-fighting.
Their baba is fake.

Truckpusher:
The joke is on you .

Your so-called wailers already saw it coming ,my sincere condolence goes to your kind that are still waiting for the monthly 5k stipend which still won't solve your endemic poverty and your inbred parasitic nature, that is if it ever comes.

kontinu........Hungry awaits you and your kind for the next four years.

Topic d fg have spent.d body d fg may have spent. Trying to comprehend pls op I nid ur help

christinie:
These APSHITS are so shameless. They should be burying their faces in shame instead of e-fighting.
Their baba is fake.

If you understood the real idea and the mindset of that of an average APC supporter especially those from the South West, the North and Middle Belt you'll cry for Nigeria.

The truth is if Buhari doesn't do what is necessary to deliver those phantom mouth watery promises he made during his campaign of lies, deceit and threat of violence , this nation will boil from the different parts of her borders and that would be the beginning of the end of one Nigeria as we all know it.

I have never seen a leader with such gross incompetence even as he killed and maimed innocent Nigerians with his almajiri followers all because he wants to rule Nigeria and establish their stranglehold on the old system that hasn't worked after independence and the civil war.

Buhari and his supporters are a big disgrace to humanity.

Truckpusher:
If you understood the real ideal and the mindset of that of an average APC supporter especially those from the South West, the North and Middle Belt you'll cry for Nigeria.

The truth is if Buhari doesn't do what is necessary to deliver those phantom mouth watery promises he made during his campaign of lies, deceit and threat of violence , this nation will boil from the different parts of her borders and that would be the beginning of the end of one Nigeria as we all know it.

I have never seen a leader with such gross incompetence even as he killed and maimed innocent Nigerians with his almajiri followers all because he wants to rule Nigeria and establish their stranglehold on the old system that hasn't worked after independence and the civil war.

Buhari and his supporters are a big disgrace to humanity.

Truckpusher, don't you think that's too harsh on him. Don't wish for war and disingration of Nigeria because you don't like the current President. You guys that live in the country has the most to lose God forbid there is a war in Nigeria.

Damn... My brother we are on a long thing... And some fools will still come here and blame the previous government.

There are some fools here on Nairaland that if Buhari should kill their mother, they will come here and give positive reasons why their mother really deserved to die...

Ass lickers

Lucasbalo:
Truckpusher, don't you think that's too harsh on him. Don't wish for war and disingration of Nigeria because you don't like the current President. You guys that live in the country has the most to lose God forbid there is a war in Nigeria.

I'm not talking about war here but it is possible considering what's going on around the country.
People with responsibilities are being laid off in their thousands from their jobs and this ancient thing is here making iidiotic policies that has sent the economy into the gutters and due to this the agitation from the various quarters of this country seems to be growing louder everyday yet he sticks to his archaic policies.
What's harsh about the truth when it is nothing but the truth ? Yet these 'sai' chanting zombies are all over social networks typing trash.
He should better face his job and do it properly or prepare to lord over a war-torn country or implement the last report of the national conference, either way Nigeria is heading towards her doom day - it's inevitable because everybody is sick and tired of these guys running Nigeria like an animal farm even when they couldn't run the country for almost 40yrs under the barrel of the gun.

What do u expect when an old haggard man becomes the Change agent..

Buhari nd APC just keep feeding Nigerians with False hope....

Truckpusher:
I'm not talking about war here but it is possible considering what's going on around the country.
People with responsibilities are being laid off in their thousands from their jobs and this ancient thing is here making iidiotic policies that has sent the economy into the gutters and due to this the agitation from the various quarters of this country seems to be growing louder everyday yet he sticks to his archaic policies.
What's harsh about the truth when it is nothing but the truth ? Yet these 'sai' chanting zombies are all over social networks typing trash.
He should better face his job and do it properly or prepare to lord over a war-torn country or implement the last report of the national conference, either way Nigeria is heading towards her doom day - it's inevitable because everybody is sick and tired of these guys running Nigeria like an animal farm even when they couldn't run the country for almost 40yrs under the barrel of the gun.

I still believe that it will take time to right the ills of Nigeria after 16 years of bastardization of the economy by PDP. Bush left a mess for Obama and after 7 years of Obama presidency, we are still feeling the effect. Critiquing the government is good but at the same time it must be objective. I would give Buhari a year to two and if things don't improve, then the critisicm will come in. The problem in nigeria is sectionalism and tribalism and that will only make nigeria a perpetual third world nation. I know you do not want war for your country.

Baba bubu stop playing with our intellegience oh. Dispose off all dis jets n cut cost. Dis jets all taking almost d budget of a state for a yr oh. Oya lia muhammed over to u

one chance govt
meanwhile can someone help me,each time I want to add a pic,it says'unable to pick a file .also how do I resize a pic.