Tinubu writes Senate, seeks N100.5bn refund for Yobe on Damaturu Airport project

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking approval for the reimbursement of N100.5 billion to the Yobe State Government for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday, Tinubu requested approval for the establishment and issuance of a promissory note programme through the Debt Management Office, DMO.

The amount requested is N100,509,017,234.55 as reimbursement to the state for the airport project.

According to the President, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at its second extraordinary meeting on May 23, 2023, approved the federal takeover of the airport and reimbursement to the state through promissory notes.

He said the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) reviewed the project and recommended N100.5 billion for reimbursement.

“In the light of the foregoing, I urge the Senate to consider and approve the establishment and issuance by the Debt Management Office of a promissory note programme in the sum of N100,509,017,234.55,” the letter read.

Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite action to facilitate the reimbursement.

Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt for further legislative consideration.