Nigerian Presidential aircraft

[4HolerPoler]

This from a recent newspaper article:

Nigerians angered by jet price tag

Nigeria's federal legislators are debating whether to deny President Olusegun Obasanjo the 10-billion naira, or about $70-million, he needs to buy a new jet. Obasanjo's request, coming at a time when the government has imposed an unpopular N1.50 tax on each litre of petrol , has infuriated lawmakers who say it is not their priority to buy the leader of an impoverished nation a new jet. The president first asked the assembly to approve $80-million for a new aircraft in 2000. Legislators turned down the request, charging officials with inflating the price tag by over 30-million. Instead, funds were set aside for a new engine and a "hush kit" to reduce noise levels on the old presidential aircraft, a nearly redundant Boeing 727.

Now officials are arguing that because of high fuel consumption and increasing maintenance costs, it no longer made sense to continue operating the aircraft. They also point to local aviation regulations which bar planes over 22 years of age from flying in the country's airspace. Obasanjo's - purchased by President Shehu Shagari, who governed the country between 1979 and 1983 - will be 22 years old this year. Some critics have suggested that rather than ask for the money, Obasanjo should trade in some of the other aircraft in the presidential fleet of 11 planes in order to raise funds for a new one.

It would appear that the president is listening. On Thursday, the government announced it was putting up three of the aircraft for sale. It hopes to raise $15-million, but that would still leave a shortfall of over $60-million for the plane Obasanjo wants. Most Nigerians are against the acquisition of a new jet, and many consider the request insensitive. Government officials are now fighting to reverse the negative feedback. One presidential adviser even said that Obasanjo did not personally make the latest request, but that officials introduced the item into the 2004 appropriations bill when it became clear that the aircraft would soon breach the 22-year flying limit. "It is important to note that the aircraft being sought is not for the personal use of President Obasanjo," said presidential spokesman, Remi Oyo. "It will be used by all other presidents that come after him until it is deemed fit for replacement."

[ANVAK]

Hello and welcome to Africa where we still play "mine's bigger than yours" :) Along those lines I'm led to believe that the SA president's new (read expensive) BBJ flew about four times the average hours in its first year of ops. Any confirmation?

[jetjackel]

Nobody screws an African like another African.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Comrade President Thabo's new toy flew the most hours of any other BBJ on the planet since it's arrival. He spends so little time in the country I would forget what he looks like if it weren't for the ubiquitous African custom of having pictures of the Great One plastered everywhere to remind us we're in a democracy ("It's a democracy because I say so!").

[George Tower]

I have to say that this story caught my eye as I happen to know a Nigerian pilot.

It makes you sick to think that whilst most of the continent starves or dies of AIDS that money is spent on plush new business jets.

I'm sure that for $15million in this day and age it is possible to buy a decent long range airliner with plenty of useful life left in and have change left over.

How much for example would a classic 747 or DC10 go for? I'm sure there's plenty knocking about with a lot of life left in them.

Oh I forgot this isn't about common sense is it.

[RUDAS]

I can't agree more with what you guys said..it's disgusting that the so called democratic leaders waste so much money on planes for their personal pleasure when thousands of their own people are starving or dying of AIDS or even trivial diseases.Of course,the standard excuses are that the jets save them valuable time (Which time they should rather be spending looking after the huge problems in their own back yard),save them money (which they should rather be spending on their people) and they always love using the response that the plane is a symbol of office,not a personal indulgence.this excuse is the most laughable one, because i think we all know that once a fat cat wedges himself firmly into power here on the dark continent,it'll take nothing short of the grim reaper to remove him, and anyway then he'll be succeeded by a mate of his or a brother or a cousin...WELCOME TO THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE!

[Capt. Manuvar]

As far as i know, nigerian presidential aircraft are not used only by the nigerian president and his officials but by the presidents and officials of a lot of other countries that can afford their own fleets. The current 727 is outdated and noisy and is about in break the 22yr law. And despite the howling and moaning (usually from political opponents who would do the same if they were in power, and foreigners who don't know anything about the country), most sensible nigerians support this idea. it is true that there are 'image' issues e.g the president of nigeria taking a commercial flight is the equivalent of the queen taking an easyjet flight to her next engagement. But you've got to consider things like security, we could have just thrown Charles taylor on a bellview flight to ABJ:} .
There may be millions of people dying of AIDS but not in Nigeria(in ever saw any in my 12 years there). there is no dispute when it come to the fact that African leaders are corrupt/selfcentred, but one of the biggest problem is outsiders who think they know what's best for africa and end up impedeing development.
CM

[126.9]

You are just so wrong it's not even funny! Those self-same outsiders of which you so hastily dispose, have been PUMPING their own tax-payer's money into African countries (Nigeria included) for so long and absolutely no improvement is visible. If you honestly believe that it is the outsiders that are causing the problems, then I would suggest that you remove your blindfold.

Africa is the most fertile continent on the planet. Africa is the wealthiest continent, in terms of natural resources and mineral wealth, on the planet. Africa is some of the least populated land on the planet. Africa is one of the least polluted places on earth. Africa is one of the cheapest places on earth to get an education.

Now that leaves a whole lot of questions unanswered then does it not? Or do you just write it off to the legacy of the outsiders involvement in Africa?

I'm terribly sorry to say so, but it appears that very few African countries have the skills, expertise and integrity to govern themselves in such a fashion as to exploit all of those advantages listed above.

As an African, I wish to know: why is it that the rest of the world is still feeding this continent, when Robert Mugabe is amongst the wealthiest men in the world, when Thabo Mbeke can fly around in the most expenssive BBJ ever built, when Olusegun Obasanjo is planning on spending at least $70 million (of foreign aid money) on a fancy jet, when Angola is currently producing 9% of the worlds oil in a country where the average teen has lost a limb...? The list is endless.

You may never have seen anyone die of AIDS in the 12 years that you were there, (OUTSIDER) but I can tell you this; they sure as hell are dying of AIDS and opinions like yours are not exactly helping their cause!!! :mad:

[Gordinho]

I thought Obasanjo flew around in a leased Super27 from a British Outfit? I remember sitting next to a guy on a BA flight into ABV a couple of years ago who was the maintenance mgr on it.

[obiukwu]

Here's a photo of the aircraft they want to change.http://www.airliners.net/open.file/503237/M/

...And the purchase price has been reduced

anybody know anything about the BBJ mentioned in the article? This from the Guardian newspaper

Govt reduces purchase price of presidential jet

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
THE Federal Government yesterday announced a cut of about N3 billion ($25 million) in its estimated cost of the jet being sought for the presidential fleet.

Although the government did not give reasons for the development, it came after an exclusive report by The Guardian yesterday on questions being raised by experts over both the cost and the status of the particular aircraft type, a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ-1).

Besides being considered prohibitive at a total cost of $80 million, The Guardian had learnt and reported that the aircraft being negotiated for had been on the ground for six out of its 10-year warranty.

It was also learnt that a brand new aircraft of the type, with a fresh warranty, goes for $48.9 million, while a later model, BBJ-2, has an asking price of $65 million.

Special Assistant to the President (Media), Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, told State House reporters yesterday that the purchase price is now $55.4 million. She said that the new price includes the cost of acquisition and configuration of the jet to suit presidential travel arrangements as well as spares.

The government spokesperson now puts the cost of procurement at $31.5 million, configuration $15 million and spare parts at about $10 million.

She said: "There were reports, particularly in one newspaper today (yesterday), about the fact that the plane we want to buy is not configured. Usually, when you buy a plane like that, and it is for VIP, you will re-configure it to suit the purpose for which it is bought. And I think that it is something that the National Assembly understands."

Oyo continued: "The basic price for Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) that is being considered is $31.5 million and we are hoping that it can be configured with about $15 million and that, by the time you do the training, buy spare parts and all of that, it will be coming to about $55.4 million."

She spoke further: "That BBJ is immediately available and the truth of the matter is that there is no way that this country or this government will commit colossal sums of money to any project whatsoever without back-checking and making sure that it is sanctioned by experts."

Oyo added: "There is nothing that is untoward. There is a lot of openness in all these and government is willing at all times to answer all questions as regards that. Again, that plane being sought is the property of the people and government of Nigeria. It is something that is going to be used way beyond this administration."

She also announced that the government is already talking to Boeing, the American firm that manufactured the aircraft.

The Guardian had exclusively identified the jet being proposed for purchase as having the serial number 29272 and Registration Number N7378P.

It was initially sold to a company called Raytheon Systems Corporation in 1999 which ordered it for Netjet, a group that specialises in corporate jets.

The aircraft is currently being marketed by Hallmark Aviation Limited based in Columbia, Maryland, USA.

A company, known as Uniglobal Aviation, is said to be involved in the sale to Nigeria. It was learnt that the aircraft is almost out of warranty since it has done very little flying since it was bought in 1999. It has flown only 22 hours in 19 cycles and labelled "Green," not painted and has no interior.

Sources had claimed that having been on the ground for about six years, its landing gear, which has a 10-year limit may have to go for total re-fit. Besides, there is said to be serious corrosion on its body. All these and other repairs, according to the calculations of those in charge of the procurement, would cost another $45 million in addition to the about $32.8 million purchase price, to bring the total cost to $80 million.

The committee given the responsibility to buy it has reportedly requested for about $80 million or N10 billion. It is believed to have already sourced a contractor in Europe to carry out refurbishment and refitting for between $15 million and $18 million, including between $4 million-$6.5 million for crew training and another unspecified amount for spares and insurance.

Also of worry is that the government plans to sell three planes in the presidential fleet, namely: Hawker Sideley 1000 series - $4.7 million; GulfStream II - $1 million and Boeing 727 - $12.3 million, totalling $18 million.

Sources claim that even these ones are being sold at almost give-away prices, the Boeing 727 especially.

According to a source, about $9 million was used to re-engine the aircraft recently. Hence, the question: why would the country sell it for $12.3 million considering the amount spent on the upgrading? "Or was the aircraft worth only $3 million before upgrading?" a source queried

[Capt. Manuvar]

126.9
Im my previous post, i acknowledged that african leaders and govt officials are "corrupt/selfcentred". I just disagree with the view that africans are unable to govern themselves. You seem to take the view that africans and only africans are to blame for problems in africa. When Mugabe steals money were does he keep it? Europe, but u won't get any points for guessing who his biggest critics are:confused: .
The problem is that these 'ousiders' are very ignorant. they are the same idiots who are stupid enough to deposit aid money into private bank accounts and then moan when the money doesn't get used properly.
Provided the Nigerian Govt negotiate a good deal, i see no reason why uncle sege shouldn't get his jet. If you've been following nigerian news lately, you'll have noticed that gone are the days when you could allocate ridiculous amounts of £$ for ridiculous projects. If this same scenario had happend 5-10 yrs ago, we'd have had a decrelit $150 miliion BBJ sitting on the apron at ABJ :} .
BTW i am not an 'outsider':hmm: .
Capt.M

[RUDAS]

Capt Manuvar,your logic is absolutely attrocious.Just because you've never seen anyone with AIDS doesnt mean your country (or any other African State for that matter),can justify buying a new presidential jet.Just take a look around Lagos...hmm,Isnt it just the epitome of a first world utopia? No social problems here...no poverty whatsoever...no more important,constructive,and ultimately much more worthy causes to spend money on!