Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said astronomic rise in Jet A-1 fuel prices and the introduction of surcharges is one of the challenges militating against Nigerian Air force (NAF) operational effectiveness.
He said the NAF should be allowed to import Jet A-1 fuel to enhance its operational efficiency.
A statement Wednesday by NAF spokesperson Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet disclosed that the CAS stated this when members of the House of Representative Committee on Air Force, led by the Chairman, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum paid him a courtesy call at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, “Currently, the situation is worsening, as the cost of Jet A-1 fluctuate at almost #1,200 per litre as against the budgeted #360 per litre.
“We are soliciting that the NAF be permitted to independently commence the importation of Jet A-1 fuel to sustain our ongoing air operations.”
According to the statement, other challenges enumerated by the CAS include the need to enhance NAF’s tactical airlift capability to support both land and maritime forces in various theatres of operations as well as disaster relief efforts in remote areas, the need for an air operations command and control infrastructure as well as the need for an enhanced Air Defence and Airspace Surveillance capabilities, among others.
Air Marshal Abubakar, earlier brought the members up to speed on Nigeria’s current security environment, which according to him remained fluid, dynamic and unpredictable.
According to him, “While terrorists’ activities in the Northeast and Northwest Nigeria have declined, we have in recent times witnessed an escalation in the rate and frequency of kidnappings and hostage-taking by these same criminals in the region.
“The recent coordinated spade of kidnappings of over 200 school children in Kaduna, 15 students in Sokoto and several others in Borno States are clear pointers to this fact. “
Speaking further, the CAS noted that in the south-east and south-south region, the threats posed by secessionists and oil thieves, though on the decline, have also been a source of concern.
These situations, he further stated, have been exacerbated as more Nigerians slip into poverty, occasioned by lack of jobs amid high cost of living, causing some to turn to crime.
Despite these challenges, the CAS noted, the NAF has continued to embark on a wide range of intensive air operations, including Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance, Air Interdiction and Armed Reconnaissance across operational theatres in the country, with varying degree of successes.
These successes, he said, were made possible due to the unwavering support of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, , as evident in the recent acquisition and induction of various platforms with the most recent being the induction of 2 x T-129 ATAK Helicopters
