Another N$130 million has been splashed on a new executive jet by Namibian Government - bringing the number of State-owned aircrafts for use by top politicians to three.
The Ministry of Works and Transport permanent secretary Peter Mwatile, who was involved in the procurement of the eight-seater Learjet 75, confirmed yesterday that the aircraft had landed in the country about three weeks ago.
The government already owns a Learjet 31A and a Falcon 900B. The Learjet 31A carries seven passengers while the Falcon 900B carries 14.
According to Mwatile, the Learjet 31A is being phased out because of high maintenance costs. Although Mwatile declined to provide the amount involved, several aviation sites estimate the price of such a jet to be around US$13 million (N$130 million).
The news about the purchase of the new plane comes a few days after it was reported that government bought three new Mercedes ML SUVs for Prime Minister Hage Geingob, the man expected to be Namibia's next president.
“The plane is going to be used by political office-bearers, including the President who decides between using his Falcon or this one,” he said.
Mwatile said the plane is not only meant for top politicians but members of the public who have the financial means can also hire it as was the case with other government planes.
The works ministry website also says: “This management tool is available for Cabinet ministers, government officials, parastatals and business individuals, who prefer to conduct official meetings or to do business in distant towns and return to their offices on the same day to work or conduct other businesses.”
Aircraft website businessaircraft.bombardier.com described the Learjet 75 as a plane with powerful engines and evolutionary aerodynamics featuring a new winglet design that allows travel with eight passengers.
“Elegantly appointed, the cabin's double-club configuration offers more legroom and greater comfort. Individual touch-screen monitors and advanced connectivity options, create new levels of convenience for maximising productivity while flying,” said the review. Mwatile said a decision is still to be made on whether to sell or keep the plane that is being phased out. “the idea is not to sit with the plane while it is not being used,” he said.
The PS further said government is yet to decide on the next fleet of ministerial vehicles that will be needed when the new ministers are sworn in next year.
Mwatile said they also have several Mercedes Benz cars in stock while the current fleet being used by ministers and their deputies is still fairly new. Current ministers have the option to buy the Mercedes Benz cars when they leave office, and with several ministers set to leave, the government might be forced to buy new luxurious cars for incoming ministers.
Mwatile declined to provide details about the three new vehicles that have been acquired for Geingob, reportedly to beef up his security ahead of the elections.
The Ministry of Works and Transport permanent secretary Peter Mwatile, who was involved in the procurement of the eight-seater Learjet 75, confirmed yesterday that the aircraft had landed in the country about three weeks ago.
The government already owns a Learjet 31A and a Falcon 900B. The Learjet 31A carries seven passengers while the Falcon 900B carries 14.
According to Mwatile, the Learjet 31A is being phased out because of high maintenance costs. Although Mwatile declined to provide the amount involved, several aviation sites estimate the price of such a jet to be around US$13 million (N$130 million).
The news about the purchase of the new plane comes a few days after it was reported that government bought three new Mercedes ML SUVs for Prime Minister Hage Geingob, the man expected to be Namibia's next president.
“The plane is going to be used by political office-bearers, including the President who decides between using his Falcon or this one,” he said.
Mwatile said the plane is not only meant for top politicians but members of the public who have the financial means can also hire it as was the case with other government planes.
The works ministry website also says: “This management tool is available for Cabinet ministers, government officials, parastatals and business individuals, who prefer to conduct official meetings or to do business in distant towns and return to their offices on the same day to work or conduct other businesses.”
Aircraft website businessaircraft.bombardier.com described the Learjet 75 as a plane with powerful engines and evolutionary aerodynamics featuring a new winglet design that allows travel with eight passengers.
“Elegantly appointed, the cabin's double-club configuration offers more legroom and greater comfort. Individual touch-screen monitors and advanced connectivity options, create new levels of convenience for maximising productivity while flying,” said the review. Mwatile said a decision is still to be made on whether to sell or keep the plane that is being phased out. “the idea is not to sit with the plane while it is not being used,” he said.
The PS further said government is yet to decide on the next fleet of ministerial vehicles that will be needed when the new ministers are sworn in next year.
Mwatile said they also have several Mercedes Benz cars in stock while the current fleet being used by ministers and their deputies is still fairly new. Current ministers have the option to buy the Mercedes Benz cars when they leave office, and with several ministers set to leave, the government might be forced to buy new luxurious cars for incoming ministers.
Mwatile declined to provide details about the three new vehicles that have been acquired for Geingob, reportedly to beef up his security ahead of the elections.
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