Presidential Yacht Deal Already Signed And Delivered – Ndume

The presidential yacht agreement mentioned in the supplemental budget has already been signed and delivered, according to Senate Chief Whip Senator Ali Ndume.

The federal government’s plan to purchase a presidential boat, estimated to cost N5 billion in the supplemental budget, was rejected by the House of Representatives.

The intended acquisition of the boat was included in the $53 million proposed capital expenditure by the Nigerian Navy in the supplemental budget that President Tinubu had presented to the National Assembly for approval.

Nigerians, who view the presidential yacht bill as a waste of money on extravagances given the country’s economic circumstances, have expressed their displeasure at the price.

“The deal has been signed and delivered, but not paid, and that’s what brought the inclusion of the amount (N5 billion) in the supplementary budget,” Ndume said in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, November 3.

In the meantime, the presidency asserts that Tinubu is not using the “Presidential Yacht,” which is listed in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriations Bill, for personal use.

The naval boat has this designation, according to the presidency, “because of the high-level security features.”

“What was named as a presidential yacht in the budget is an operational Naval boat with specialised security gadgets suitable for high-profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President.”

The Presidency’s statement, titled “The facts on the Naval boat in the 2023 supplementary budget,” reads, “The Naval boat was ordered by the Navy under the previous administration.

“President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum, as he inherited both the assets and liabilities of past administrations.

“The payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defense, the Presidency noted, adding that “the total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion, out of which N62 billion was approved by the President.” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Thursday.