… transmit National Anti-Doping Bill, FCT supplementary statutory budget
By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Tinubu has requested for the approval of the Federal Government’s refund of N24 billion to Nasarawa and Kebbi State governments, in order to takeover the airports built by the two states.
The President’s request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, which was read on Thursday by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary.
President Tinubu is seeking House approval to refund over N15 billion to the Kebbi State Government and N9 billion to the Nasarawa State Government.
Kebbi State had earlier allocated funds for the construction of the ‘Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi’, while Nasarawa State Government invested N9 billion in building the Lafia Cargo Airport in Nasarawa.
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 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.”
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 lost of hosting rights and participation at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events,” the letter read.
Also, the President wrote the House, seeking the approval of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2024.
The letter reads in parts: “Following the review of the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has indicated some critical projects that were inadvertently omitted in the 2024 Appropriation.
“The capital projects are a vital component of the FCT and has significantly impact manpower and infrastructure development within the FCT. In this regard, the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, passed in March 2024 is hereby proposed.”