The people of Senegal have denounced the acquisition of a new airplane for President Macky Sall as ‘wasteful.’
Finance and Budget Minister Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo, succumbing to criticism, informed parliament last week that the Airbus A320 neo will cost taxpayers around $110 million.
The West African nation is scheduled to receive the aircraft in July.
The government’s spokesperson justified the expense, arguing that it was required to replace the outdated A319 that entered service in 2011.
After two decades of service, the presidential aircraft, named Pointe Sarène, “has become obsolete…requiring frequent and expensive technical visits, and consequently long periods of immobilization,” said Oumar Guèye in a statement.
Authorities have previously refused requests to release the cost of the plane, citing ‘security reasons’.
Senegal is undergoing a severe economic and social crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, and resistance to President Macky Sall’s administration has grown in recent years.
According to the World Bank, the nation saw an annual economic growth of more than 6% between 2014 and 2018.
In 2020, growth dropped to an estimated 0.7%, affecting services, tourism, transport, and exports in the country of 16 million people.
The subject has generated considerable controversy on Senegalese social media, with many arguing that the government should prioritize hospitals and education above the President’s pleasure.
The Airbus A230neo measures 37.6m in length, 35.8m in width, and 11.8m in height at the tail. It is capable of carrying 146 passengers.
