The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar has lamented that the rising cost of aviation fuel was hindering the war against terrorism in the country.
Abubakar disclosed this on Tuesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives to intimate them on the ongoing war against terrorism, banditry and other forms of Insecurity in the country.
He decried that the consistent delay in budget funding is a significant challenge bearing in mind that about 85 percent of Nigerian Air Force capital budget is for procuring military
He said: “The astronomic rise in aviation fuel prices and the introduction of surcharges has adversely affected Nigerian Air Force air operations, considering its large fleet.
“The situation continues to worsen with the cost of Jet A-1 fluctuating at N1,150 per litre as against the budgeted N360 per litre. The need for an intervention fund to the Nigerian Air Force as an independent importer of Jet A-1 fuel to sustain air operations while reducing the financial burden on the Government, may thus suffice.
“The consistent delay in budget funding is a significant challenge bearing in mind that about 85 percent of the Nigerian Air Force capital budget is for procuring military hardware abroad.
“Since hardware by Original Equipment Manufacturers are time bound, delay in budget funding may lead to late delivery due to late payment. Timely disbursement of approved funds would surely solve this challenge.”
Abubakar also explained that the contemporary operating environment was characterised by terrorists who situate themselves with the general populace which makes targeting complex in view of the need to avoid collateral damage.
“Thus, the Nigerian Air Force kinetic operations are supported by credible intelligence to minimize undesired casualties,” he said.