Malawi President Joyce Banda Sells $15 Million Private Jet To Feed The Poor
September 14, 2013
Malawi will use $15m from the sale of the country's presidential jet to feed the poor and grow crops to
fight malnutrition, an official has said.
"It was a collective government decision that the money realised from the sale of the jet will be used to purchase maize locally and some for legume production," said Nations Msowoya, a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance.
Food experts have said 10 percent of the country's 13 million citizens face food shortages this year.
President Joyce Banda decided last year to sell the jet, bought by her predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika for $22m, due to the cost of running it.
Former colonial power Britain, Malawi's main bilateral donor, reduced its aid to Malawi by $4.7m after the 14-passenger aircraft was purchased.
Mutharika, who died last year from heart attack, often defended the buying of the jet, saying it was cheap to run and a status symbol for the poor southern African nation.
In July, the United Kingdom said it would provide Malawi with $20m to alleviate the "looming food crisis" in southern Africa.
Lynne Featherstone, the UK's international development minister, said the funds would "save countless lives".
Malawi, which was a net exporter of maize just a few years ago, has now seen stocks depleted to a quarter of its annual average after the worst harvest in seven years.
Price hikes and unpredictable weather have left food stocks dangerously low in the region, the government said.
Since taking office, Banda has introduced a host of cost-cutting measures and uses commercial airlines to travel outside the country.
The presidential aircraft was auctioned off to a Virgin Islands company, Bohnox Enterprise Ltd and the deal was announced in May.
The luxury jet cost Malawi about $300,000 a year in maintenance and insurance, a government official revealed.
Source: Al Jazeera | Photo: AFP
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Breathtaking: Hilarious Realtor Video Edit By Gen Z Employee Goes Viral
Woman Discovers Common Food Ingredient As The Ultimate Mosquito Repellent
A Hilarious Dog Story Told In Four Photos
Florida Police Urge People To Stop Taking Selfies With Bears
Experience The Thrill Of Mountain Biking In The Dolomites - Without The Danger!
Tornado Disrupts Wedding, Sends Guests To Basement. They Turned It Into A Magical Night
Young Man's Act Of Kindness For Woman At Concert Makes Her Day
Young Boy's Clever Kitchen Drawer Prank Leaves Dad Questioning Reality
Every Time The Power Goes Out, He Takes His Generator To His Elderly Neighbor's House
Gorilla Melts Hearts With Sweet Gesture Towards Newborn Baby
Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' Comes To Life In Stunning Shadow Puppet Show