The Nigerian Navy on Friday has affirmed that it had taken delivery of the 5 billion naira yacht.
Recall that the presidential yatch which was captured in the 2023 supplementary budget generated a lot of criticism which eventually led to it been withdrawn by the national house of assembly.
In a latest development, the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, stated that the yacht had been in the country since June, 2023. He explained that the service made a “long overdue request” for the replacement of the defunct presidential yacht during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He stressed that the yacht was for training.
There are indications that the payment for the yacht might face delays due to opposition from both chambers of the National Assembly. Federal lawmakers have refused to approve the payment for the yacht. Consequently, although the yacht has already been delivered to the country, it remains uncertain how the government will raise the necessary funds for it in the upcoming days and months.
Furthermore, on earlier on Friday, Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, clarified in an interview on Arise TV that the presidential yacht had been agreed upon, signed, and delivered, but payment had not yet been made.
Ndume mentioned that the Senate raised concerns about the budgeted amount for the yacht, noting that it was initially signed based on a dollar rate, which has since become less favorable. He highlighted that the budget was initially calculated at N435 per dollar, but the current rate has exceeded N800 per dollar.
Furthermore, he explained that the navy clarified that this budget wasn’t a new one, and even the House of Representatives redirected the allocated funds to the Student Loan program.
Ndume explained that the N5bn earmarked for the yacht was included in the supplementary budget because it had yet to be paid for. “When we saw that amount, we queried it. When we asked those questions, the navy explained that this was not a new item. I know the President is not a luxurious person, he won’t go for that.”
While addressing the issue, the naval spokesperson said, “It was delivered in June 2023. We have not used it yet.”
When asked if the inability to pay for the yacht was responsible for the delay in using it, he stated, “Correct. It’s tied to the non-payment.”
This suggests that the navy might not be able to utilize the yacht for its operational purposes until the payment is completed.
In response to the substantial criticism surrounding the procurement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the yacht was not intended for the personal use of Tinubu.
He had stated, “What was named as 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.”
