The House of Representatives’ has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request of N100.509bn promissory note as reimbursement to Yobe state government, for the takeover of newly constructed Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport Damaturu, by federal government.
The resolution followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on AIDS, Loans and Debt management, presented by the chairman, Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba at plenary.
Giving details on how the committee recommended the approval of the promissory note, at a media briefing, Hon. Nalaraba said based on the submissions and interactions, the committee observed that “The Federal Ministry of Aviation inspected the airport project completed by the state and ascertained that the quality of work done have met the required standard and worthy of takeover by the federal government”.
He said “The committee requested for memoranda on the project and did a thorough scrutiny of the submissions;
“The committee assessed and compared the submissions from Federal Ministries of Finance, Aviation, Federal Executive Council and Bureau of Public Procurement with the documents submitted to the committee by the state;
“To ensure equity and fair hearing, Yobe State Government was invited to make further presentation and clarification on their submission”.
The chairman disclosed that in making their recommendations, they relied on “Detailed submission on the project as requested for and received from the following key government functionaries:The Hon. Commissioner – Finance, Yobe state, Hon. Commissioner – works, Yobe state, Hon. Commissioner – Transport, Yobe state and Yobe State Executive Council”.
Others include, “Federal Executive Council approval; approval of the Ministry of Aviation for the construction and development of the airport;
ratification approval by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Bureau of Public Procurement.
“Documents from the Bureau of Public Procurement: Copies of the contract agreement between Yobe state and the contractor that handled the project; copies of certificate of completion of each phase of the project; copies of certificate of clearance by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“Bureau of Public Procurement “Due Process Review Report”; Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of “No Objection” evidence of payments by the state government to the contractor.
He said from the committees findings, Yobe State Government have paid for the projects for which they seek a refund; and all contractors that executed the project.
Nalaraba also confirmed that the Bureau of Public Procurement ascertained and certified that due process was followed and issued Due Process Certificate of “No Objection”.
According to him, the promissory note programme and bond Issuance are intended to clear unpaid debts of the federal government owed to various sectors of the economy or as a refund to state governments for projects executed on behalf of the federal government.
He therefore submitted that the House approved “The sum of one hundred billion, five hundred and nine million, seventeen thousand, two hundred and thirty-four Naira, fifty-five kobo (N100,509,017,234.55)”.
His submission was endorsed and ratified.
