Reps approve FG takeover of Kebbi, Nasarawa airports

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for a refund of about N24bn to the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments, for the takeover of two airports built by the two states.

Recall that on May 16, 2024, the President, in a letter addressed to the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, urged the legislative chamber to refund N15bn and N9bn to the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments, respectively, being the cost incurred in the construction of airports in their domains.

Kebbi State spent the money to construct the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, while the Nasarawa State Government spent N9bn for the construction of the Lafia Cargo Airport, Nasarawa.

The letter read, “Establishment of a promissory note programme in favour of the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments for the reimbursement of the respective costs of the construction of newly-built airports in those states that had been taken over by the Federal Government.

“The House of Representatives is invited to note that at the Executive Council meeting of the Federal Executive Council, which was held on the 23rd day of May 2023, it was approved as follows:

“That a promissory note in the sum of N9,000,542,651,786.11 be issued to the Nasarawa State Government as a refund for the takeover of the newly constructed Nasarawa Airport.”

“That a promissory note in the sum of N15,137,336,95.88 only be issued to Kebbi State State Government as a refund for the takeover of the Birnin Kebbi International Airport.

On Thursday, the House dissolved into a Committee of Supply to consider the report on the request as submitted by the Chairman of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debts Management, Mr Abubakar Nalaraba, and granted the approval.

While Kebbi is to get a refund of N15.14bn, Nasarawa will get a total sum of N9.54bn based on claims made by both states.