Senate halts planned purchase of multibillion-naira presidential yacht

The Senate has halted the proposed purchase of the N5.095 billion presidential yacht which was part of the expenditures in the 2023 supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

This followed condemnation from the public about the insensitivity of such a purchase amidst the unprecedented level of poverty and hardships among citizens as well as the country’s worsening economy.

The yacht, which accessories and other components had already been delivered to Nigeria, had not been fully paid after then-President Muhammadu Buhari approved its purchase.

It was among the committed obligations submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence.

The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion, out of which not more than N62 billion was approved by the ex-president.

The Senate Committee on Navy chaired by Gbenga Daniel, at a meeting with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on Thursday, re-evaluated the budget of the navy in the supplementary proposal by the president, and advised that the proposed purchase of the presidential yacht be expunged.

Instead, the committee proposed the replacement of the now expunged yacht proposal with critical equipment to support operational efforts against oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalisation, and thereafter, passed the revised supplementary budget.

Credit: Peoples Gazette