The Senate has approved a request by President Bola Tinubu to refund a total of N24bn to Kebbi and Nasarawa states for executing airport projects on behalf of the Federal Government.

The approval was a sequel to the presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Manu Haruna.

Tinubu had asked the Red Chamber to approve N15bn for Kebbi and N9bn for Nasarawa in May 2024.

At the time, the President said aviation, including airports, the safety of aircraft and carriage of passengers and goods by air, were managed by the Federal Government, in line with the second schedule of the constitution.

Supporting the report, Aminu Abbas said the request should be approved because of the importance of infrastructure to development and insecurity.

“Airport is very important when it comes to development and security,” he said.

Also speaking, Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) said his state recently got approval from the Federal Government to construct an airport.

“As soon as the project is completed, we will come here for a refund through promissory notes,” Jibrin said.

The request was approved after it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.