In order to reimburse Borno State Government for N16 billion, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to approve the issuance of promissory notes.
Tuesday’s plenary session featured the reading of Buhari’s letter of request by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The President claimed that the refund was intended to cover the costs of federal roads that the government of Borno State had begun to build.
The following is an excerpt from the letter: “The Honourable Senate President may wish to be informed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on May 3, 2023, approved the reimbursement of the sum of N16,772,486,002.19 to the Borno State Government through the issuance of promissory notes in respect of federal road projects carried out by the state.
“The Honourable Senate President may wish to take note that at its meeting on February 1, 2023, the FEC approved the reimbursement of N3,084,769,393.63 to Borno State as well as N6,601,769,470.99 for reimbursement to the Plateau State Government.
“I have already sent the National Assembly my request for a resolution authorising the issuance of promissory notes to the two states.
“The Honourable Senate President may wish to take note that the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the reimbursement of the additional sum of N16, 772,486,002.19 to the Borno State Government was based on the State’s request and my directive to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to make sure that enough money is provided for the completion of the Damboa/Chibok road based on the project’s current cost of completion.
“The FEC’s approval followed the recommendation of a cabinet committee that examined the state’s submitted paperwork and physically inspected and verified the projects that the state government had carried out.
“In light of the aforementioned, I would like to respectfully request that the Senate consider and approve through its resolution the reimbursement of the sum of N16,772,486,002.19 to the Borno State Government in relation to the road projects that the State carried out on behalf of the Federal Government.
The National Assembly may request any information from the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing in order to consider this request.
