President Paul Biya to buy presidential jet worth CFA 45 Billions

Despite abject poverty and misery in the republic of Cameroon, the president H.E Paul Biya, is nursing plans to purchase a new presidential plane estimated to cost CFA 45B, from an American company GulfStream (http://www.gulfstream.com/), reports Charles Atangana, permanent correspondence of Afrique Echos Magazine According to the Magazine, two African heads of state notably Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Biya are planning the purchase of new presidential jets, confirming that the information concerning the said purchase can be found in the command booklet of Gulf Stream, a company specialized in the construction and sales of private jets. Though there is no clear-cut information concerning the cost of the jet, Charles Atangana noted in his report that the price catalogue of Gulf Stream private jet construction indicates that the jet – G5 cost about FCFA 45B.

But the presidency of the republic of Cameroon has declared the information bogus and misleading. “The civil cabinet of the president of the republic informs the public that these allegations are false and totally unfounded, as no such transaction took place” wrote Jean Baptist Beleoken, director of cabinet at the presidency of the republic. President Paul Biya is said to be worried ever since scandal surrounding the purchase of the last presidential jet (ALBATROSS), started making news in the country. It should be noted here that the where about of the ALBATROSS, whose controversial purchase allegedly caused the sacking of some top government officials remain cloudy. Barely a couple of months after purchase, the presidential jet disappeared shortly after it started developing technical faults which left the president uncomfortable each time he used it. No doubt, the new G5 jet is for the replacement of the PELICAN and L’hirondele that have been 28 years old but far more less expensive than the G5 jet.

Many are those Cameroonians who wonder aloud why the president who pledged to fight poverty, would embark on such extravagant project which they strongly believe would only help to drive the country into a state of economic stalemate. By Yemti Harry Ndienla