MPs approve new jet for Museveni
Dec 19, 2007
THE Government wants to buy a modern presidential jet. The new Gulf Stream 550 costs $48.2m, the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs heard yesterday.
By Joyce Namutebi
THE Government wants to buy a modern presidential jet. The new Gulf Stream 550 costs $48.2m, the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs heard yesterday.
State House Comptroller Richard Muhinda and presidential pilot Gen. Ali Kiiza presented the matter to the presidential affairs committee.
The members approved the purchase, committee chairperson Mary Karooro Okurut said after the meeting; “We believe this is not a luxury for the President. It is a national asset.â€
Justifying their request, Muhinda and Kiiza said the new jet consumes less fuel, requires fewer inspections and does not need many stopovers like the old one.
A copy of the confidential brief said the new ultra long-range aircraft comes with a 20-year warranty and superior equipment.
According to the brief, the Gulf Stream 1V SP, which the Government bought in 2000, went out of production in 2003 and its warranty had expired. It cost $31.5m on a lease. On completion of the monthly installments in August, the Government paid $1m to acquire the plane.
“This seven-year-old aircraft is now the property of the Government of Uganda,†the brief stated.
It added: “The aircraft was superseded by G.450. Subsequently, no major system upgrades are planned for the G 1V SP. The aircraft is therefore, not compliant with the latest standards for enhanced safety.â€
As it gets older, the G 1V would be expensive to maintain, the statement said, adding that in the next three years, the plane will be 10 years old and will require mandatory engine overhaul at about $1m. “This is very expensive,†Karooro quoted the officials. She said selling the jet now would fetch $20m.
“A new jet costs $48.2m. We will be looking for half the price,†Karooro said. The committee, she noted, would want to look at the new jet and appraise it.
“We think it is advisable that a new jet is purchased.â€
THE Government wants to buy a modern presidential jet. The new Gulf Stream 550 costs $48.2m, the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs heard yesterday.
State House Comptroller Richard Muhinda and presidential pilot Gen. Ali Kiiza presented the matter to the presidential affairs committee.
The members approved the purchase, committee chairperson Mary Karooro Okurut said after the meeting; “We believe this is not a luxury for the President. It is a national asset.â€
Justifying their request, Muhinda and Kiiza said the new jet consumes less fuel, requires fewer inspections and does not need many stopovers like the old one.
A copy of the confidential brief said the new ultra long-range aircraft comes with a 20-year warranty and superior equipment.
According to the brief, the Gulf Stream 1V SP, which the Government bought in 2000, went out of production in 2003 and its warranty had expired. It cost $31.5m on a lease. On completion of the monthly installments in August, the Government paid $1m to acquire the plane.
“This seven-year-old aircraft is now the property of the Government of Uganda,†the brief stated.
It added: “The aircraft was superseded by G.450. Subsequently, no major system upgrades are planned for the G 1V SP. The aircraft is therefore, not compliant with the latest standards for enhanced safety.â€
As it gets older, the G 1V would be expensive to maintain, the statement said, adding that in the next three years, the plane will be 10 years old and will require mandatory engine overhaul at about $1m. “This is very expensive,†Karooro quoted the officials. She said selling the jet now would fetch $20m.
“A new jet costs $48.2m. We will be looking for half the price,†Karooro said. The committee, she noted, would want to look at the new jet and appraise it.
“We think it is advisable that a new jet is purchased.â€