Tinubu Seeks Reps’ Approval To Refund N24bn Airport Funds To Nasarawa, Kebbi

President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the House of Representatives to grant concurrent approval to the Federal Government for the refund of a total sum of N24bn to Nasarawa and Kebbi State governments for the takeover of the airports built by the two states.

In a request letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu said the takeover was necessary as the Federal Government owned exclusive rights to the ownership, regulation, and control of airports in Nigeria

The letter was read on the floor of the House on Thursday during plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

According to the letter, the President is seeking the House approval to refund over N15 billion to the Kebbi State Government and N9bn to Nasarawa State Government.

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

The President explained in his letter that “Aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft, and carriage of passengers and goods by air” were under the control of the Federal Government as provided in the 1999 Constitution (As amended).”

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 have 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 FEC, 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 refund for the takeover of Bernin Kebbi International Airport.

“The House of Representatives may wish to note that by the provisions of item three of the second schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft, and carriage of passengers and goods by air, fall under the exclusive legislative list.

“The impact of this is that ownership, regulation, and control of airports in Nigeria are exclusive to the Federal Government.

“In light of the above, I urge the House of Representatives to consider and grant concurrent approval for the establishment of the promissory notes programme in favour of the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments, respectively, as prescribed in paragraph two above.”