The Presidency has said the N5 billion Presidential yacht captured in the 2023 supplementary budget is just a Naval operational boat with specialised operational features and not a cruise ship.
This was disclosed in a state house release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and strategy. The statement noted that the term Presidential yacht was used to denote the special military features of the boat and not for use by the President.
Furthermore, Mr. Onanuga explained that the “Presidential yacht” was approved by the previous administration of President Buhari and the current administration allowed it because the government is a continuum.
It also said that the payment for the “Presidential yacht” is part of a committed obligation by the Nigerian Navy to the Ministry of Defence and displays the President’s commitment to securing the country’s waterways.
TheWitness earlier reported a proposal from the Nigerian Navy to purchase a Presidential yacht for N5 billion while budgeting N5.5 billion for the student loan program.
However, the House of Representatives during approval of the 2023 Supplementary budget removed the N5 billion appropriation for the Presidential yacht and added the proposed fund to the Student loan program.
