Despite Economic Hardship, FG to Spend N1.5 billion on SUVs for First Lady, 12.5 billion on Presidential Jets

Despite the economic hardship biting in the country, the federal government has gone ahead to budget monies for presidential yacht, SUV for the first lady and other frivolous spendings.

In the 2.1 trillion naira supplementary budget requested by President Tinubu, a number of unnecessary spendings were sighted in the document.

They include: N5.095 billion for the purchase of a Presidential yacht, N1.5 billion on vehicles for the Office of the First Lady, an office that is not recognised by the country’s constitution.

Others are N2.9 billion on Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) for the Presidential Villa, and another N2.9 billion to replace operational vehicles for the presidency.

The government is also proposing to spend N4 billion on the renovation of the Lagos state residential quarters of the president and N3 billion for that of the vice president, as well as another N2.5 billion for renovation of the Vice President residence at the Presidential Villa (known as the Aguda House).

In total, N28 billion is proposed for the State House.

The supplementary budget also has allocation of N12.5 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet, which contains a Boeing Business Jet, one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V (Gulfstream 500), two Falcons 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters and two AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters.

While Nigerians are going through hardship and high cost of living, the president will be spending billions on jets, SUVs and yacht.

This is coming a few weeks after federal lawmakers went ahead to spend over N75 billion on procuring luxurious “official vehicles” for themselves, despite public outcry.