President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the House of Representatives to approve a N24 billion refund to Nasarawa and Kebbi states for the construction of airports.
This request, aimed at compensating the states for the infrastructure costs, was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, and read aloud by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during Thursday’s plenary session.
In his letter, President Tinubu detailed the financial breakdown of the requested refunds: over N15 billion to the Kebbi State Government and N9 billion to the Nasarawa State Government. These funds were initially expended by the states for the construction of key airport facilities — the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, and the Lafia Cargo Airport in Nasarawa State.
The President’s appeal is centered on the federal takeover of these airports, which necessitates the reimbursement of the states’ investments.
Highlighting the significance of the infrastructure to national development, Tinubu emphasized the need for federal support to ensure the continued operation and maintenance of these airports under federal management.
“To consider and grant concurrent approval for the establishment of the promissory notes programme” was the specific request made by President Tinubu to the House. This programme would facilitate the issuance of promissory notes as a formal commitment to repay the states, ensuring that the financial obligations are met without immediate fiscal pressure on the federal budget.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presented the letter to the House members, underscored the importance of the legislative backing for the proposed refunds.
The House of Representatives is expected to deliberate on the request and decide on the approval, which would formalize the federal government’s commitment to the refunds.
The development of these airports is part of a broader strategy to improve regional connectivity and boost economic activities in the respective states. The Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport and the Lafia Cargo Airport are anticipated to play crucial roles in enhancing trade, tourism, and transportation links within and beyond Nigeria.
For more news https://lagostalks.com/news/
