Ablakwa up against Defence Ministry over plans to purchase new executive jet
Plans to procure a new jet has awoken the argument of the North Tongu legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa yet again as he does not resonate with the idea revealed by Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul about consultations ongoing on plans to purchase a new jet.
“A government which claims to be facing one of the most difficult economic challenges of the modern era and for which it seeks to railroad and obnoxious and regressive E-levy should not be holding consultations for the purchase of a new Presidential jet,” he said in a tweet on Wednesday, December 15.
His comments come on the back of the revelation by Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul to Parliament on Tuesday, December 14 2021 that consultations were ongoing for the purchase of a new executive jet.
Mr Nitiwul indicated he would table the move before Parliament when the consultations are over.
The Minister who doubles as a lawmaker for Bimbilla was responding to questions raised by Mr. Ablakwa on the steps the ministry has initiated to purchase a new presidential jet and the justification.
He also explained that executive jet does not mean it is for the sole use of the president. In America, no other person can use the Airforce One apart from the President and the Vice.
“We have an executive jet and I am saying to you that Executive Jet issued to do government business and that is the classification.”
He further espoused that the Ghana Airforce is requesting for a multi-functional aircraft to add to its inventory as a required command and control asset.
“The Ghana Airforce is once again requesting for a multi-functional aircraft to add to its inventory as a required command and control asset, to be able to connect Ghana’s National Security to diplomacy,” he said on the floor of Parliament while answering questions about the cost of renting a presidential jet for President Akufo-Addo’s recent trip to Europe in June.
Already Mr. Ablakwa had raised concerns about the cost of renting a presidential jet for President Akufo-Addo’s trips.
But Mr Nitiwul defended the president’s decision to rent a luxurious aircraft for use two weeks ago on a Europe and Africa tour at the cost of over 2.6 million cedis.
According to him the capacity of the Falcon Presidential aircraft can no longer carry the president’s entourage without re-fueling.
“The decision to travel particularly to long and multiple destinations such as the president travelling to France, Belgium, South African and back to Ghana especially during this covid time will always require a larger capacity aircraft such as a DBKJ or an aircraft ATJ 319 even when the Falcon is air ready,” he said.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
