FG to take over 2 airports in Nigeria, Nigerian rep react

• The House of Representatives approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for a refund of about N24bn
• This is for the federal government to take over two airports built by Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments
• The house dissolved into a Committee of Supply to consider the report on the request as submitted

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives granted President Bola Tinubu's request to reimburse the state governments of Kebbi and Nasarawa for the acquisition of two airports that they had constructed, amounting to approximately N24 billion.

Photo Credit: FG, Zamrznutitonovi
Source: Getty Images

The President earlier asked the legislature to reimburse the state governments of Kebbi and Nasarawa, respectively, for the money they spent on developing airports within their respective borders, on May 16, 2024.

Punch reported that the letter was addressed to Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House.

The Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, was built by Kebbi State, while the Lafia Cargo Airport in Nasarawa was built by the Nasarawa State Government, spending N9 billion.

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.“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.

The House dissolved into a Committee of Supply on Thursday in order to examine and adopt the report, which was made by Mr. Abubakar Nalaraba, the Chairman of the Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debts Management.

Refunds of N9.54 billion will go to Nasarawa, and N15.14 billion to Kebbi, based on claims submitted by both states.

Airfare increases as aircraft shortage hits Nigerian airports

Legit.ng reported that due to the ongoing aircraft shortage at Nigerian airports, passengers travelling from Lagos to second-tier airports, including Ilorin, Akure, Asaba, Benin, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Ibadan, and Yola, are not able to choose which airlines to fly with.

In order to maximise financial gains, airlines with few aircraft have been obliged to either lower frequencies or halt operations on second-tier routes, focusing instead on first-tier or heavily trafficked routes.

Passengers' costs may also be affected. A one-way economy class ticket from Lagos to any of these destinations currently costs between N100,000 and N300,000. A fare from Lagos to any of the second-tier airports stood at an average of N65,000 last year.

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Source: Legit.ng