Nasarawa gets N9.75bn refund for airport project

The Nasarawa State Government has finally received a refund from the federal government, amounting to N9.75bn, for taking over the erstwhile Lafia Cargo Airport. Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this during a special meeting with some selected stakeholders from across the state which was held at the government house, Lafia, the state capital. Sule said after […]

The Nasarawa State Government has finally received a refund from the federal government, amounting to N9.75bn, for taking over the erstwhile Lafia Cargo Airport.

Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this during a special meeting with some selected stakeholders from across the state which was held at the government house, Lafia, the state capital.

Sule said after the federal government took over the airport, which remained Usman Dan Fodio Airport in 2022, his administration relentlessly pursued for a refund amounting to N9.75bn.

He, however, maintained that he convened the meeting in order to show appreciation to the stakeholders, including National Assembly members and traditional rulers, who together played critical roles leading to the receipt of the refund.

“The first item has to do with the Lafia Cargo Airport, now named Usman Dan Fodio Airport by the Federal Government of Nigeria.  Let me, at this moment, begin by showing great appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, for the initiative to construct this airport, which today has brightened the investment potentials of the state.

“If you remember, we completed the airport, and we invited the former president to come and commission the airport in 2022. But initially, just like it was intended, we started talking about the handing over of that airport to the federal government for full utilisation,” he said.

The governor disclosed that, earlier, the state government had sought the refund in order to utilise the funds in completing the Kwandere-Sabon Gida road, also initiated by former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

Similarly, Governor Sule announced the completion of the over N16bn Lafia flyover and underpass conceived and started by his administration.