State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, is said to have spent well over N2.3 billion on aircraft charter

In what appears an act of profligacy, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, is said to have spent well over N2.3 billion on aircraft charter between 2009 and 2011. “The governor started using the jet shortly after Arik Air withdrew its services from the Akwa Ibom International Airport due to squabbles associated with the ticket subsidy which the government was paying to the aviation company. “Arik Air was collecting money for empty seats each time it came in or left Ibom International Airport. The ticket subsidy ran into hundreds of thousands of naira on a daily basis with so many people feeding fat on it...Premium Times investigations showed that Mr. Akpabio signed a charter deal with Vista Jet, a Swiss Airline Holding Company in 2009. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana, however said the jet was hired based on Governor Akpabio’s need. Founded in 2004 by Thomas Flohr, Vista Jet has operations in Nigeria and six other countries – the United Kingdom, UK; United Arab Emirate, UAE; China, Malaysia, Austria and Switzerland. It is one of the world’s premier luxury private jet charter firms flying clients between any two points on a pay-as-you-go fare structure, like a taxi company. Between 2009 and 2011, Mr. Akpabio is believed to have made an average of four return trips on a weekly basis within and outside Nigeria with the Swiss luxury jet. The governor was said to have also used the aircraft like an air taxi to convey members of his immediate family and friends within and outside Nigeria. A source in the Government House, Uyo, who cannot be quoted because he is not permitted to speak on the matter, told PREMIUM TIMES that a whooping N3 million was paid per trip to the Swiss aviation firm and its Nigerian associates. A prominent politician from the state, believed to have interest in Arik Air, struck the ticket subsidy deal. After the deal broke down, the authorities of the airline withdrew services from the state, the source said. Known for his glitzy lifestyle, Mr. Akpabio was said to have afterwards made a permanent charter arrangement with VistaJet to convey him, members of his family and important visitors to the state. Another source at Ibom International Airport confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Akpabio flew with the chartered jet over six times in a week and even made trips abroad with the chartered plane. “It wasn’t a secret,” he said. “You know our governor is a showman. He was using the Vista Jet to travel all over the world. His family and close friends also used the aircraft anytime they were traveling outside the state. “The jet was permanently chartered by the government. When the governor had an engagement to attend with his wife and family outside the state, the aircraft was used in conveying them. “Due to safety concern, you know the governor does not fly in the same aircraft with his wife and children. Each time he needed to travel with his family, the airline will first drop the governor before coming back to pick up his wife and children. “When they were coming back, the aircraft most times brought the wife and children first before going back for the governor.” With an average of four return trips at the rate of N3 million per trip, Mr. Akpabio spent a minimum of N24million naira per week and N96 million per month to retain the services of the Swiss private airline. However, in one year, Akwa Ibom State paid a total of N1.15 billion for its gallivanting governor and N2.3 billion during the two years it retained the services of the luxury airline. During the years under review, Vista Jet virtually ruled the Akwa Ibom airspace. But PREMIUM TIMES was unable to obtain any record showing that the airline paid any fees for using the state-owned airport facilities. When the airport management approached the airline at the beginning of its operations, it reportedly insisted it had a charter arrangement with Mr. Akpabio and would not pay the required fees. A reliable source at the airport urged PREMIUM TIMES to request from the airline the receipt of fees it paid for the period it operated in the state. More Money, More Debt In spite of the fact that the state receives the highest in Federal revenue allocation, records made available by the Debt Management Office, DMO, show that Akwa Ibom is the most indebted among oil producing states, indicating that a huge chunk of its resources are frittered away by its profligate governor. During the period under review, Akwa Ibom State had an external debt stock of $61.8 million, while its domestic debt stock is unknown. Imo State has an external debt stock of $52.7 million, followed by Ondo State with a total of $52.1 million, and Edo State with a total of $44.3 million during the period under review. Rivers State had a total of $42.7 million, Abia followed with $34.1 million, while Bayelsa and Delta states had $28.7 million and $19.7 million respectively during the same period.