FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – The Nasarawa State Government has formally received refund from the Federal Government for the taking over of the erstwhile Lafia Cargo Airport, amounting to N9.75bn.
Governor Abdullahi Sule made this known during a special meeting with some selected stakeholders from across the state which held at the Government House.
According to Governor Sule, after the Federal Government took over the airport which was remained Usman Dan Fodio Airport in 2022, his administration relentlessly pursued for a refund amounting to N9.75bn.
He said 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 Governor added that the meeting will also afford the participants the opportunity to further discuss on the way forward regarding the money received.
While appreciating the stakeholders for turning out at the meeting, especially on Monday, he listed only three items as agenda for the parley, which he said is important for the stakeholders to jointly take a decision as a state.
“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 also talking about the handing over of that airport to the federal government for full utilisation.
“Let me take this moment to show great appreciation, that is the reason why I invited the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Finance, our revenue Chairman, the former Accountant General, especially our national assembly members, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, as well as member representing Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency, also played a significant role in what we are going to discuss,” he stated.
Governor Sule disclosed that, earlier the State Government had sought for the refund in order to utilise the funds in completing the Kwandere-Sabon Gida Road also initiated by former governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura.
“The idea of wanting the refund was that we wanted to see the possibility of using that refund to complete the road between Kwandere and Sabongida. The amount we asked as refund at the time, around N9.75bn, was what we needed to complete the road, which was again initiated by Senator Al-makura.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the money until now last week when we now received the N9.75bn from the Federal Government.
“A lot of efforts to receive the refund, and that is why I said I must commend and appreciate all our leaders from the National Assembly to the ministry to the revenue service, our elders who had to consult, one way or the other, in order for us to be able to get the refund. We will discuss further what was received, in what form and the decision that we have to jointly take together,” he added.
This is just as Governor Sule announced the completion of the over N16bn Lafia Flyover and Underpass conceived and started by his administration.
He said that even though there are still minor works to be carried out, the projects are ready for use.
“The underpass and flyover in Lafia technically have been completed yesterday. What I mean by technically is that it is ready and we can use it right now,” he said.
The Governor informed the stakeholders that he invited them in order for them to join him in making history as they collectively open the road to public use.
He explained that ahead of the scheduled commissioning of the project by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, it has become necessary to open the road to traffic in order to test run the road.
“What I mean by technically is because we want to open it so we can use it extensively before commissioning. The reason is to see if there are some cracks or other things on the road, between now and next two or three weeks before the commissioning. We are hoping Mr President is coming in June to commission it.
“If now we have any kind of defect, then we will have the opportunity to close down the road and put the last layer on the top of the road. Even if there is no defect, we will still go ahead and close the road for about a week and have the last layer and draw the road signs.
“There are going to be additional works but on the walls. That can be done while the road is in use. The roundabout under the flyover going to the palace also can be done while the road is being used,” he said.
Governor Sule said the meeting will also discuss the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the entire North Central geopolitical zone billed to hold in Abuja next week.
Thereafter, the Governor invited the stakeholders to perform the symbolic opening of the Lafia flyover and underpass to public use.
Signed
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
