The Nigerian Navy on Friday, confirmed that it has taken delivery of the N5 billion presidential yacht captured in the 2023 supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly.
The move comes contrary to the hope of the Nigerian public that the procurement would be halted on account of widespread criticism. This also comes in the backdrop of the current economic situation in the country.
The revelation that the yacht has been delivered to the country introduced a new twist to the issue.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, in an interview with PUNCH on Friday, stated that the yacht had been in the country since June 2023.
Ayo-Vaughan said the service during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari requested the replacement of the defunct presidential yacht, insisting it was for training.
The naval spokesperson said, “It was delivered in June 2023. We have not used it yet.”
He added that the inability to pay for the yacht was responsible for the delay in using it, “Correct. It’s tied to the non-payment.”
However, there are indications that the payment for the yacht may suffer delay, given the opposition from the National Assembly and refusal to approve its payment.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has disclosed that the presidential yacht deal included in the supplementary budget has already been signed and delivered.
The lawmaker stated this during an appearance on Arise TV on Friday.
Naija News recalls that the House of Representatives rejected the federal government’s plan to buy a presidential yacht, which is expected to cost N5 billion in the supplementary budget.
The presidential yacht budget was met with public outrage from Nigerians who tagged the government insensitive for splurging on such a luxury item considering the economic situation in the country.