Presidential Jet $15M: The Malawi government has sold its presidential jet to a bidder in the Virgin Islands in an attempt to raise money.
“We have accepted their offer and we are waiting to hear from them,” Cabinet clerk Ernest Katchetche said in a statement obtained by The Mail & Guardian newspaper.
The Dassault Falcon 900-EX was in “perfect flying condition,” officials said. The government under former President Bingu wa Mutharika originally bought the jet for $22 million and was a source of controversy in the country.
It sold to a Virgin Islands firm for some $15 million.
President Joyce Banda said that selling the jet was one of the country’s priorities to raise funds. Maintaining and insuring the jet reportedly cost around $300,000 per year.
The Virgin Islands company Bohnox Enterprise Ltd beat out three other bidders to purchase the jet, government spokesperson Chintu Phiri, told Reuters. “We have accepted their offer and we are waiting to hear from them,” Phiri said.
