Success Nwankwo
President Bola Tinubu has launched a new Airbus A330, which will replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700, in an attempt to improve the efficiency and safety of the presidential fleet.
The Boeing plane, which has been in service since the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was recently deactivated following a proposal by the Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee.
According to Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, “the freshly acquired Airbus A330 was purchased much below market value, creating a considerable cost-saving potential for the country.
“The procurement is expected to save Nigeria millions of dollars each year in maintenance and fuel expenditures, which have been a major burden with the old B737-700.
‘The decision to replace the Boeing BBJ was spurred by a legislative investigation into the plane’s safety and cost effectiveness. The hearing became more urgent after the aircraft malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia, emphasising the risks of continued usage.’
President Tinubu’s trip to Paris marks the first official usage of the new Airbus A330, which represents a new era in the operational administration of Nigeria’s presidential fleet.
