Tinubu asks Senate to approve N100bn refund for Yobe Airport

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve N100.5 billion for the Yobe State Government. This amount is for the building of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu, Yobe's capital.

Tinubu's request was shared in a letter that Senate President Godswill Akpabio read during a session on Tuesday.

In the letter, the president explained that the federal government has taken over the airport's ownership and control. This takeover means the state government needs to be reimbursed with a promissory note.

He added that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved this takeover. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) reviewed the project and suggested that N100,509,017,234.55 be paid back to the state government.

After reading the letter, Akpabio sent the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. They will look into it further.

This proposed refund comes in line with the laws governing aviation in Nigeria.

According to Item 3 of Part I of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, aviation matters like airports, aircraft safety, and the transport of passengers and goods by air are on the Exclusive Legislative List. This means only the National Assembly can make laws about these issues, and state Houses of Assembly cannot interfere.

Section 4(2) and (3) of the Constitution gives the National Assembly authority to legislate on Exclusive Legislative List matters. This setup allows federal regulation of aviation and the management of airports under the law.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Act also gives FAAN the power to manage and maintain airports that are transferred to it by law. It also covers other airports stated in relevant laws.

But just because aviation is on the Exclusive Legislative List does not mean that every airport must belong to the federal government. It also does not automatically guarantee that a state building an airport will get reimbursed.