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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate on Tuesday received President Bola Tinubu’s request for the Federal Government to reimburse the Yobe State Government N100.5 billion for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu and subsequently referred it to its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for scrutiny.
In the letter of request which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in plenary on Tuesday, the President said it was part of the 70th Promissory Notes Programme.
Following approval by the lawmakers, Akpabio
directed the committe to ensure its report is submitted to the chamber within one month.
The proposed reimbursement is for the takeover of the airport, which was constructed by the Yobe State Government before the Federal Executive Council approved its takeover and reimbursement of the project cost through the Promissory Notes Programme.
The Senate was informed that the Federal Executive Council, at its second extraordinary meeting held on May 23, 2023, approved the takeover of the airport and the reimbursement of the cost incurred by the state government.
According to the request presented to the Senate, the Bureau of Public Procurement had completed its review of the project and recommended N100,509,017,234.55 for reimbursement to Yobe State.
“In view of the foregoing, the Senate was asked to consider and approve the establishment and issuance of a Promissory Notes Programme by the Debt Management Office in the sum of N100,509,017,234.55,” the request stated.
The reimbursement, if approved, would settle the Federal Government’s obligation to Yobe State for the airport project following the FEC-approved takeover.
