Ben Bruce, a Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sell all 11 presidential jets, saying the cost of maintaining the jets is not justified.
There were reports last week that the president had ordered the sale of 9 presidential jets from the fleet to cut government cost.
But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES Friday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, denied knowledge of such directive.
“The story of the order for the sale of aircrafts in the Presidential Fleet, about which so much interest is being expressed, is not known to us,” Mr. Shehu said.
The Annual cost of maintaining Presidential Fleet (₦5.3 Billion) can pay for 10k NYSC Corpers to start a business at 500k each #commonsense.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 22, 2015
The Annual cost of maintaining Presidential Fleet (₦5.3 Billion) can pay for 10k NYSC Corpers to start a business at 500k each #commonsense.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 22, 2015
Mr. Bruce, who has been one of the vocal voices of the newly inaugurated 8th national assembly, made the call via his Twitter account on Monday morning as he put the cost of maintaining the presidential jet at N5.3 billion per annum.
“I appeal to @MBuhari to sell off our 11 presidential jets. Maintaining them at the current ₦5.3 Billion per annum is against #commonsense. Does it make #commonsense that our presidential air fleet is larger than the combined fleet of the Queen of England and the British PM?” he queried.
“We need a common sense revolution. Though I know it is not practical, I almost wish @MBuhari would appoint a minister for common sense! The Annual cost of maintaining Presidential Fleet (₦5.3 Billion) can pay for 10k NYSC Corpers to start a business at 500k each #commonsense,” he tweeted.
