Senator Ali Ndume, the chief whip of the senate, in an interview with Arise TV has disclosed that the contentious presidential yacht deal, featured in the supplementary budget, has been formally signed and delivered. However, the payment for the vessel has not yet been processed, leading to its inclusion in the supplementary budget with an allocated amount of N5 billion.
This revelation follows the House of Representatives’ earlier rejection of the federal government’s proposal to acquire a presidential yacht, expected to come at a cost of N5 billion as part of the supplementary budget.
The proposed purchase of the presidential yacht has ignited public outrage, with many Nigerians criticizing the government’s decision to invest in such a luxury item amid the nation’s challenging economic circumstances.
President Tinubu had submitted a supplementary budget to the National Assembly for approval, in which the procurement of the yacht was categorized under the Nigerian Navy’s projected capital expenditure of $53 million.
Responding to the growing controversy, the presidency clarified that the item listed as ‘Presidential Yacht’ in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill is not intended for President Tinubu’s personal use. According to the presidency, it is designated as a naval boat equipped with advanced security features suitable for high-profile operational inspections rather than presidential leisure.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was emphasized that the boat was commissioned by the Navy during the previous administration, and President Tinubu has consistently acknowledged the principle of government continuity, inheriting both assets and liabilities from past administrations.
The presidency further noted that the payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligations submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defense. Out of a total request exceeding N200 billion, the President approved N62 billion.
This development sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the presidential yacht, as the controversy continues to brew within the political landscape and among the Nigerian public.
