The Senate has approved payment of N10.069 billion promissory note to Kogi Government as refund for projects executed on behalf of Federal Government.
This followed the adoption of a report by Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Sen. Ordia Clifford (PDP-Edo), at plenary on Wednesday.
The federal government had sought the approval of the senate for issuance of promissory note for refund on federal projects executed by the state government.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan by President Muhammadu Buhari and read on Oct. 15 at plenary.
The senate had referred the matter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative input.
Ordia, while presenting the report said the state was qualified for the refund given the money spent on federal projects.
He said the findings of the committee revealed that the state paid contractors who executed the projects on behalf of federal government and therefore qualified for refund.
Ordia, therefore moved that the senate approve the committee’s recommendation by approving issuance of N10.069 billion promissory note to the state government.
Sen.Barau Jubril (APC-Kano) in his contribution said the senate should approve the request following the execution of the projects by the state government.
Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe,(PDP-Abia) said he agreed that the state should be paid the money expended on federal projects.
Contributing, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the 8th Assembly passed resolution approving issuance of promissory notes to states for projects executed on behalf of federal government.
He said the Assembly approved the issuance of promissory note to all states that requested for the payment with the exception of Kogi.
“God’s time is always the best, Kogi state was not approved then, and the 9th senate has seen the necessity.
“We have done justice to other states, let us do justice to the state,” Lawan said.
He consequently put the matter on a voice vote for approval and it was unanimously approved by the senators.
