President Bola Tinubu has written the House of Representatives, seeking its approval for the federal government to grant (reimburse) N24 billion promissory notes to Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments.
The N15 billion and N9 billion promissory notes for the Kebbi State and the Nasarawa State respectively are for the takeover of the airports’ built by the two states by the federal government.
The president’s request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Abbas Tajudeen and read at plenary on Thursday by the deputy speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu who presided over the sitting.
The letter reads: “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).
“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 take over 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 government as refund for the takeover of Birnin Kebbi International Airport.
“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.”
In another letter, President Tinubu transmitted the National Anti-doping Bill, 2024 to the House asking to expeditiously pass it ahead of Olympic coming up in July 2024.
“The National Anti-doping Bill, 2024 seeks to create an administrative independent National Ant-doping organisation which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the world anti-doping code and international standard for code compliance with codes by signatories.
“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid imposition of signatories consequences including loss of hosting rights and participation at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events,” the letter reads.