Police Deny Selling Falomo Barracks

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Police headquarters in Abuja has described shocking and unfounded, trends of discussions on the dilapidated status of barracks and their redevelopment, specifically the Falomo Barracks and others in Lagos in social media dismissing allegations that the barracks have been sold. Rather the Police said the barrack along with others is being redeveloped in partnership with sub-national governments and reputable developers to unlock value in the assets by building more befitting and modern barracks Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known on Tuesday. He said, “Following series of misleading write-ups and social media comments alleging that the Falomo Barracks land in Lagos State has been sold, it has become pertinent for the Nigeria Police Force to address the shocking and unfounded trends of discussions on the dilapidated status of barracks and their redevelopment, specifically the Falomo Barracks and others in Lagos. “While we appreciate the concerns and interests of concerned groups and individuals on the general welfare of police personnel, we aim to provide clear and accurate information about these unpalatable allegations. “Due to the critical state of several police barracks (including the Falomo Barracks) the NPF leadership conceived a partnership arrangement with sub-national governments and reputable developers to unlock value in the assets by redeveloping the barracks into more befitting and modern barracks – with complementary facilities and modern infrastructure. “The redevelopment of the barracks (including Falomo Barracks) is set to be speedily completed after which the occupants will be duly offered fresh accommodation in the redeveloped sites. “In specific terms, the occupants of Falomo Barracks Blocks A and B have each received a sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) only as a temporary relocation allowance. “This payment has been made to 347 families after a validation process to facilitate their temporary relocation. “It is important to note that this initiative is not limited to Falomo Barracks alone. “Similar redevelopment projects will be implemented across all police barracks nationwide over time. “This is a strategic effort to improve the living conditions of our officers and their families, which is a key focus of the current police administration. “The claims that the Barracks are being vacated and the pieces of land sold are false, mischievous, and a calculated attempt to cause unnecessary discord within the ranks of the NPF. “The improvement of these facilities is a priority for the Nigeria Police Force, and steps are being taken to address the issues effectively.

Cost of governance: Tinubu initiates the sale of presidential jets

In a bid to cut the cost of governance, President Tinubu’s has announced plans to divest three aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), a senior official revealed over the weekend. This strategic move forms part of the administration’s wider efforts to streamline government expenditure. Presently, the fleet comprises a total of 10 aircraft, including six jets and four helicopters, with intentions to reduce the fleet to seven through the proposed sale. This decision mirrors a previous attempt made during the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sell off two aircraft in the fleet, namely a Dassault Falcon 7x executive jet and a Beechcraft Hawker 4000 business jet, back in October 2016. However, the sale faltered after preferred bidders revised their offer from $24 million to $11 million, a sum rejected by the government at the time. To alleviate the burden of maintenance costs, the administration had explored alternative avenues, including the possibility of chartering some of the aircraft to interested governors to generate revenue. The fleet comprises various aircraft models, including Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) 737, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, Falcon 7X, HS 4000, Agusta 139, and Agusta 101. Notably, the BBJ 737 serves as the Nigerian Air Force One, exclusively utilized by the President for official travel. While specific details regarding the replacement of the BBJ 737 remain undisclosed, it is noteworthy that the aircraft was acquired for approximately $43 million during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Escalating concerns over maintenance costs, which have soared to over $5 million in recent months, have prompted President Tinubu to take decisive action. The decision to divest three aircraft deemed the most financially burdensome is aimed at curtailing excessive spending on maintenance. Over the years, the presidency has allocated significant sums for PAF maintenance, with budgetary provisions ranging from N3.65 billion in 2016 to N25.7 billion in 2023. However, precise expenditure figures remain unconfirmed. Furthermore, in a separate move geared towards fiscal prudence, President Tinubu has enforced a three-month travel ban on publicly-funded foreign trips by Federal Government officials, with immediate effect. The utilization of the fleet falls under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), ensuring efficient management and utilization.

Reps to probe illegal helicopters’ sale by NCAT

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has resolved to probe alleged sales of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State. The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. The chairman said the committee attention was drawn to the development through media reports on July 30, 2023, on the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters. He said the helicopters were public assets acquired for training pilots by the NCAT for N1.2 billion. “The Sale of the helicopters under the pretext of under-utilisation by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping.” This according to him cut across all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration. “This is in spite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire same and possibly use to address the security challenge facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft.” He said the committee equally felt the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country. He said the urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration called for suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration. He said it was only right that the new administration is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there were no hidden agenda. He said the committee would investigate the sale of those important training national assets to ensure that due process was followed and that the country was not shortchanged in the deal. The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, had said it auctioned two helicopters at 556,200,322USD (₦1.2 billion), because of under-utilisation. The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Capt. Alkali Modibbo, told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the two Bell 206B – III model helicopters were disposed after satisfying all due diligence. Modibbo explained that a Federal Government licenced auctioneer, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, was appointed to dispose the affected helicopters sequel to the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively. According to him, the auctioneer paid $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (totalling ₦1.2bn) vide FGN Remita receipts bearing reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, accordingly.