Our politicians are sick in the head The presidential fleet according to reports in the media today, is larger than 3 domestic airlines put together. Our president and his team of thieving allies have 10 jets valued at around N460billion and needing N9billion annually to service. Today, the aviation sector is in dire straits. How does one explain that only two domestic airlines – Arik, with 23 planes, and Aero Contractors with 14 – have larger fleets than this one kept for a few at public expense? Over N9 billion is believed to be spent on the maintenance of the presidential fleet each year, while the PAF required 47 Nigerian Air Force officers, 173 airmen/ airwomen and 96 civilian employees on full time call in 2012. Nigerians, however, desperately need a government that exists to serve the people, not a few. Successive governments have demonstrated incompetence and abused and misused public funds. There should be minimum ethical standards and decorum in public office. Other developing nations like Ghana where a former president, John Kufuor, once disposed of a spare presidential aircraft, retaining only one, should shame us into prudent conduct. Jonathan has no excuse to continue keeping 10 aircraft and our under-performin g legislators have no reason to keep approving new purchases or the billions of naira they appropriate for their maintenance each year. But, ultimately, it is only when the electorate shakes off its lethargy and demands accountability and responsibility from public officials that things will change for the better.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:30:43 +0000
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