By Milcah Tanimu
President Bola Tinubu has requested the House of Representatives to approve a total refund of N24 billion to the governments of Nasarawa and Kebbi States for the federal takeover of airports constructed by the two states.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and read during plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, President Tinubu sought concurrent approval for the refund. According to the President’s request, over N15 billion is to be refunded to Kebbi State, and N9 billion to Nasarawa State.
The funds were initially spent by Kebbi State on constructing the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi and by Nasarawa State on the Lafia Cargo Airport. President Tinubu highlighted that aviation matters, including airports, fall under federal jurisdiction as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The President’s letter detailed the refund, stating, “A promissory note in the sum of N9,000,542,651.786.11 is to be issued to the Nasarawa State government as a refund for the takeover of the newly constructed Nasarawa Airport. A promissory note in the sum of N15,137,336,95.88 is to be issued to Kebbi State government as a refund for the takeover of Birnin Kebbi International Airport.”
President Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to grant approval for establishing the promissory notes program in favor of the Kebbi and Nasarawa State governments, ensuring that the states are reimbursed for their expenditure on the airport projects.
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