President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria plans to acquire a new private jet, a stark contrast to Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s recent decision to voluntarily reduce his salary by 40%.
Boakai’s move, announced on the Liberian Government’s website, reflects his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security. The salary cut aims to strengthen government accountability and show solidarity with citizens amidst financial challenges.
In Liberia, Boakai’s announcement comes shortly after some lawmakers arrived at parliament in tricycles, protesting against the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s failure to fund their vehicles. Boakai’s gesture sets a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building. He also pledged to empower the Civil Service Agency to ensure fair compensation for public servants.
On Thursday, Boakai launched the Employee Status Regularisation Programme to enhance employment and payroll transparency within the government. This initiative includes a comprehensive employee headcount and physical verification exercise to remove ghost names and unqualified individuals from the government’s payroll, aiming to improve the wages of legitimate civil servants and create opportunities for qualified professionals.
Boakai is currently in Nigeria for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.
NN News Media recalled that the Nigerian government has appointed a US-based broker, JetHQ, to sell three ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet – a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x. Proceeds from the sales will be used to help fund the purchase of a new plane.
This comes as a House of Representatives committee recommended buying two new jets for the president and vice president, citing the poor condition and high maintenance costs of the current fleet. The main presidential jet, a 19-year-old Boeing 737 BBJ, is currently undergoing maintenance and classified as unserviceable.
However, the plan to acquire new aircraft has faced criticism from some Nigerians who argue it is insensitive given the country’s severe economic hardship. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi urged the government to shelve the plan, saying it demonstrates “extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles”.
Supporters argue the safety of the president and vice president is paramount, especially after recent helicopter and plane crashes killed leaders in Iran and Malawi. The government is reportedly scrambling to find funds for the purchase, with some money potentially coming from a contingency fund in the 2023 supplementary budget
