Femi Makinde, Osogbo
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to dispose of six out of the remaining nine aircraft in the presidential fleet.
The lawyer said handing over two out of 11 aircraft in the fleet was not enough, saying nine airplanes were still too many to be maintained with the dwindling resources accruing to Nigeria.
He said this in an interview with our correspondent in Ido Osun, Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Mayegun-Bamofin of Ido Osun Kingdom by the Olojudo of Ido Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo.
Ozekhome said that some airlines did not even have up to six aircraft in their fleet and wondered what the Presidency was doing with the large number of aeroplanes.
According to him, the aircraft should be sold and the money realised from the sale be ploughed into the economy.
He said, “Of the 11 aircraft in the presidential fleet, the President just gave two to the Nigerian Air force; there are still nine more. Let them sell about six more; we don’t need nine presidential jets.
“The British Prime Minister flies Virgin Atlantic whenever he is travelling; President Obama flies Airforce 1; we have not heard of Airforce 2. They should sell six more and plough the money into the economy, which in the doldrums.”
According to him, apart from the two world leaders, presidents of some other powerful nations do not use two aircraft and stressed the need for the present administration to effect a change in this area.
– PUNCH
