On Thursday, the House of Representatives gave the green light to President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for the reimbursement of approximately N24 billion to the governments of Kebbi and Nasarawa states, following the federal acquisition of two airports originally constructed by these states.
It is worth recalling that on May 16, 2024, President Tinubu penned a letter to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, requesting the National Assembly to approve the payment of N15 billion to Kebbi State and N9 billion to Nasarawa State, representing the expenses incurred in building the airports within their respective regions.
Kebbi State allocated the funds for the construction of the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, its capital, while Nasarawa State spent N9 billion on the Lafia Cargo Airport in Nasarawa.
The letter explained, “A promissory note program has been approved to compensate the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments for the expenses related to the construction of new airports, which have now been taken over by the Federal Government.”
The House was reminded that at the Federal Executive Council meeting on May 23, 2023, approval was granted for the following:
“A promissory note amounting to N9,000,542,651,786.11 will be issued to Nasarawa State as reimbursement for the newly constructed Lafia Cargo Airport.”
“A promissory note totaling N15,137,336,95.88 is to be issued to Kebbi State for the Birnin Kebbi International Airport.”
On Thursday, the House transitioned into a Committee of Supply to review the report presented by the Chairman of the Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debts Management, Mr. Abubakar Nalaraba, and approved the refund.
As a result, Kebbi State will receive N15.14 billion, while Nasarawa State will get N9.54 billion, based on the claims submitted by the two state governments.
