The Presidency Explains why Presidential Jet Remains in London

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The Presidency Explains why Presidential Jet Remains in London

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Explanations have been given by the Presidency on Thursday as to why the presidential jet, NAF 001 remains in London for President Mohammadu Buhari’s return after his medical treatment is concluded. The decision, according to the presidency, is for the purposes of protocol, national security, prestige and diplomacy.Garba Shehu, who is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, spoke on this matter in a chat with the media in Abuja.Shehu was prompted by a number of social media posts, insinuating that the amount being spent daily for the aircraft stay in London since May 10, when the president went there on a second trip for treatment is unbearable for the country.In his submission, he said such action is not expected, as such would make the return of the president an easy one, when the need arises.Shehu offered that: “The Presidency is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world.“It is important to state that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.“From operational point of view, this country’s Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure.”He also disapprove of the claim that the parking charge for the aircraft is a huge one for the country, adding that waivers are enjoyed by presidents all over the world. However, Shehu said in case there is none, the amount chargeable does not exceed a thousand pound.The presidential spokesperson enjoined the citizens to reject such information, which he said was the handiwork of the opposition.He went on to mention some of the feat attained by the Buhari administration, and therefore, persuaded Nigerians to accord it the privilege of leading the nation.“We have also read claims about outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria. The published amounts are totally untrue. Aircraft conveying Heads of State all over the world usually enjoy waivers even where payments for parking are differentiated by aircraft categories.“We have been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed £1,000, which is a quarter of the amount being peddled.“For the avoidance of doubt, this President is not the first to have a presidential aircraft standing by for him, as he will certainly not be the last. All past Heads of this country have had this privilege, and the part that surprises the most is that leaders who in the past travelled with three Nigerian aircraft did not suffer this trenchant criticism.“We appeal to Nigerians to ignore opposition campaign aimed at derailing this administration’s big plans for the country.“This is a government that is constructing the Second Niger Bridge, the Mambila Power Plant, the East-West and the North-South standard gauge railway lines.“We are a government that has saved this country an annual loss of two trillion Naira from fraudulent petroleum subsidy schemes by influential citizens and their children and rid the public service of about 50,000 ghost workers.“The Buhari administration certainly deserves a chance”, Shehu said. 

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