The recent acquisition of a brand new Airbus A330 for the current Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has sparked heated debate, most especially in this era of economic meltdown. The plane was introduced to ensure safety and reduce high expenditure associated with the aircraft’s maintenance, especially considering that it was to replace the aging Boeing BBJ 737-700 in the presidential fleet. However, its timing seemed to provoke angry responses from the public. Critics argue that the buy is insensitive to the plight of the economy.
This news has come at a time when most Nigerians are struggling to contend with an Inflation of over 30% and a spate of austerity measures, including a move by President Buhari’s government to axe Fuel Subsidies that have worsened the country’s cost-of-living crisis. Many citizens responded angrily on social media. One user protested how it was unfair to ask Nigerians to make economic sacrifices while the government spends on fancy airplanes. President Tinubu is accused of having lost touch with the struggles of the average Nigerian, and the purchase was described as “self-indulgent” and “insensitive”.
Argument is that the new jet would save the government money.
However, supporters point to the practical benefits of the new aircraft. According to Bayo Onanuga, media aide to the president, the plane was bought below the market value and would conserve for Nigeria millions of dollars yearly on maintenance and fueling. At any rate, with advanced avionics and a customized interior, the new jet is projected to be used not only by this president but by future ones as well. The purchase had followed recommendations from the Senate of Nigeria.
Members of the legislative chamber were raising concerns over the safety and cost efficiency of the fleet currently in operation. There is, however, uncertainty about whether the purchase was captured in the recent supplementary budget, which puts a question mark on its transparency. This is against the wider backdrop of tension between government upgrades and people’s perception of extravagance during times of economic strain. The controversy is further fueled by the failure of the government to communicate the reasons behind the purchase and the implications on their finances.
Yacht and renovation plans spark outrage too.
Of course, this is not the only action of the government that has sparked outrage among the people. A public stir was created as the Presidency under President Bola Tinubu proposed spending the sum of ₦5.095 billion on the purchase of a presidential yacht, and more than ₦19 billion for the renovation of State House vehicles and residences. This was an ill-advised move, with opponents citing Nigeria’s still-haunting economic meltdown. The spending was detailed in the 2023 supplementary budget passed during second reading in the lower chamber of the House of Representatives. There are views that the spending for a new yacht and renovation of the residence of the Vice President are wasteful and, again, would fuel another round of public discontent.
Also, the reaction to proposed lines of spending was intense, for politicians acted in unison, coupled with outraged citizens. Omoyele Sowore, one of the strong critics and the presidential candidate under the platform of the African Action Congress, lashed hard on the administration for being pro-rich and choosing luxury over the interest of the average Nigerian. He added that the financial burden has spiked in the country with the removal of fuel subsidies, flotation of the naira, and introduction of school fees, among others. This definitely portrays the presidency in bad light, as it is seen to be over extravagant on trivial goods when such huge sums are being spent on renovation works; an insensitivity many of the actors like Sowore have shown as bad governance.
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With all this noise coming from different quarters, heavy speculation is ongoing over whether the deal with the presidential yacht will go ahead or be retracted. The proposal was rejected by Nigeria’s lower chamber of parliament after coming under criticism that it was indulgent for the West African nation at a time of economic crisis, according to a senior lawmaker, Abubakar Bichi. Following condemnations by Nigerians that the country had no business buying such a yacht at a time of economic crisis, lawmakers have moved funds for it to double the Student Loan budget. President Bola Tinubu had promised to cut waste and ease financial pressures when he came to office in May but angered many by proposing a supplementary budget including the purchase of the yacht as part of more than $53 million of capital expenditure for the Nigerian Navy.