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Malawi: Banda administration auctions off presidential jet – in keeping with president’s promise
Malawi President Joyce Banda
Malawi’s presidential jet has been auctioned off to a Virgin Islands company for US$15 million, after the cash-strapped government disposed of it to raise funds, an official said Tuesday.
Bohnox Enterprise Ltd beat three other bidders for the 14-passenger aircraft used by former president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last year.
“We have accepted their offer and we are waiting to hear from them,” cabinet clerk Ernest Katchetche said in a statement.
The 15-year-old Dassault Falcon 900-EX had been described as being in “perfect flying condition”.
Mutharika’s successor, President Joyce Banda, decided to sell the aircraft and a fleet of luxury cars used by the big-spending leader.
(More: Malawi: President Joyce Banda takes pay cut of 30% in austerity drive)
The Banda administration initially set the price at US$20 million.
Mutharika controversially acquired the jet for US$22 million in 2009, calling it “an asset” for his impoverished country.
Maintenance and insurance for the aircraft reportedly cost the tax payer US$300,000 a year.
Malawi, though politically stable, is one of Africa’s poorer nations.
Since taking office, Banda has introduced a host of cost-cutting measures and uses commercial airlines to travel outside the country.