Following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, the presidency has provided some clarifications for members of the public on the true facts regarding the line item in the Supplementary budget. This was contained in a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the presidential Adviser, President Bola Tinubu’s administration respects the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern and therefore considers it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues.
Bayo Onanuga stated that what was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President.
“The naval boat is designated a “presidential yacht” by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features”, he stated.
Bayo Onanuga also revealed that the said Naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu in line with his belief that government is a continuum and having inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations decided to conclude the acquisition.
Mr. Onanuga also stated that 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 Defence. The total of the submitted requests according to him was in excess of N200 billion out which N62 billion was approved by the President.
“President Tinubu is focused on securing our country and territorial waters. The Federal Government under his leadership is investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from our oil and gas, marine and blue economy”, Onanuga continued.
“In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges. Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens”, he concluded.