Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, is reportedly planning to commercialize the state-owned private jet over maintenance cost, in order to aid efforts to reduce cost of governance.
This revelation was made available to Truth Live News by a source close to the government house, via a private chat.
The source who pleaded anonymity said that Governor Eno during a State Executive Council meeting announced his intention to sell off the jet.
For confirmation, our source quoted the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong’s statement to journalists shortly after the meeting.
Ememobong noted: “Council has ordered the Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah, to implement a management structure.”
He said the SSG would focus on reducing costs for the state’s official private jet.
“This decision came on the need for a drastic reduction in the cost of governance including exchange rate, and the corresponding increase in the cost of maintenance of the private jet.”
Purchasing Costs
The Bombardier model aircraft bought by the administration of former Governor, Sen Godswill Obot Akpabio, in 2012 costed approximately $50 million.
The cost covered aircraft, avionics, and other installations justified by Akpabio for convenient travel in the midst of state multiple operating airlines.
Maintenance Costs
Certainly, “The costs keep rising as the aircraft ages,” an aviation official said.
For instance, he mentioned “fueling, crew salaries, allowances, insurance premium, parking fees, maintenance costs government about N300m monthly (about N4 billion per year) to keep the aircraft.”
Financial And Other Benefits
“While the aircraft will remain the state’s asset, it will be put to more lucrative use,” Ememobong said.
However, the cost of maintaining and operating the jet was a source of contention for many citizens.
“The government could spent the money on other priorities such as agriculture, education and healthcare,” They argued.
This innovative approach aims to drastically cut costs on governance and prioritize public well-being.
Need For Prudent Fiscal Management
The marching order to oversee the execution of this financial efficiency initiative in response to the current economic challenges affecting the state followed the removal of oil subsidy by the Tinubu led government.
In addition to the financial benefits, Eno’s order is also seeing as a symbolic gesture of his commitment to public service.
Thus, leadership demands sacrifices, and public service can be demanding.
Inconveniences Flying Commercial Airline
Governor Eno will not encounter challenges commuting in and out of the state, given that Ibom Air currently operated eight aircraft (with an additional eight to arrive soon).
With the eight to twelve daily flights connecting Uyo to Lagos and Abuja, the governor may face some inconveniences flying commercially, but the cost savings are justified.
Nevertheless, by choosing to fly commercially, the governor has shown that he is not above the people he serves.
Akpabio utilized the aircraft for three years; Mr Udom for eight years, and Pastor Eno for a few months.
Although, the aircraft was an executive jet for the use of the governor.
The intense usage, including a nationwide tour during Udom’s presidential campaign, and occasionally lending to other PDP politicians, resulting in its rapid depreciation.