President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja for France on Monday on a private visit in new Presidential plane.
An earlier statement by the presidential adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale indicated that the President would return to the country after his brief work stay in France.
Tinubu departed for France using the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) bought under the Presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
He said the recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.
He said the new plane is spacious and is furnished with the state-of-the-art avionics, customized interior and communications system.
