FEC approves N120.7bn for streets, other projects

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved an entire sum of N120,717,387,596 for a number of jobs that cut across countries of the federation.

Of this figure, about N117.5 billion has been for both rehabilitation and construction of bridges and roads.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of this 26th Digital FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasola, stated that he introduced three memoranda on behalf of his own ministry to the council of N117,485,081,325, which was approved.

He clarified that two have been in regard to different streets and bridges functions, although the third was to get a banking software for the Federal Mortgage Bank.

According to him,”Council announced a whole amount of N18,923,846,198.47 billion for roads and bridges. First is that the rehabilitation of 26 kilometres of Kano — Kazaure — Daura — Mai’adua Road at the Kano-Jigawa-Katsina States at N8.767 billion.

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Okpokwu Bridge along Ogoja — Okuku — Aliforkpa-Benue Road at Cross River N1.057 billion.

“Bridge in kilometre 22 +700 meters across Bida -Zungaru road in Niger at N1.022 billion. Nkwumi Bridge linking Abia and Enugu states at N1.072 billion, and Chalawa — Runku — Sawa — Kayi Road in Kombotso, Kano State N2.787 billion.

“Another memorandum concerning streets is for the entire sum of N98,73,840,842.81 billion. The roads are in Rijiya — Gusau Road at Zamfara N1.799 billion; Jega-Kwanar Sanagi-Kebbi-Gunmi Road in Kebbi N31.539 billion; Koko- Mahuta Road at Kebbi, N19.713 billion; Kukar Babangida — Gangara Road at Katsina N11.731 billion, Ihiala-Orlu -Umuduru Road to Uko at N16.750 billion, Oye Ama Etitte road to Umuawulu Road in Anambra at N2.155 billion and rehabilitation in Bichi Road in Kano State N8.34 billion.

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“The next memo was the procurement of a core banking software for Federal Mortgage Bank in the sum of N487.394,285.71 million for Messers FINTAX applications to empower Federal Mortgage Bank to provide all the frontline services that other banks now supply across its branches nationally.

“Contrary to other banks, federal mortgage bank is still not able to send automated notices, statements and all those to national housing finance contributors.

“This application will enable the national mortgage lender to provide those kinds of services and also do a lot of reconciliation and automation loan and credit processing when fully installed.”

Also, briefing, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, stated his ministry introduced two memoranda to Council that was the furnishing of the already finished technology construction, that is the communication and data command and control center in the price of N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

He said that an endorsement has been obtained for the purchase of 44 operational vehicles intended to enhance the efficiency of their officers, including Comptrollers, Assistant Comptroller Generals, Deputy Comptroller Generals and for patrol duties, in the purchase price of N768,077,08 million.

He said,”Council also accepted a contract for the furnishing of the tech construction, that’s the information and communicating command and control facility, it will also act as the support Headquarter of Nigeria Immigration Service. The award is favour of messers Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the entire amount approved is N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

“Council accepted the procurement of usable vehicles to boost efficiency in the support for people who were recently promoted from the Nigeria Immigration Service, Comptrollers, Assistant Comptroller Generals, Deputy Comptroller Generals as well as patrol vehicles.

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“The council approved procurement of 44 usable vehicles in an entire contract amount of N768,077,08 million. The beneficiaries are messers PAN, Kawra and Wanla Motors Nigeria Ltd.. .

“While the last phase of consultancy was awarded to Messers APTECH Practice Ltd, an architectural design adviser. The ward is an entire sum of N163,956,232.03. The period of the project is four weeks ”

FEC also approved a memo that sought the award of a contract to its reversed cost to get an extension of time of their consultancy services in Tadasungai Irrigation job in Kwara state.

Briefing on that, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu noted that Council had okayed the reversal of the entire cost of the principal project and obtained approval to expand the services of the advisor, Messers Tech Consult Consultancy International and partners Ltd for the following 12 months.

He explained,”It had been 24 months and 12 months expansion plus 12 months accountability interval, which makes it 36 to get an entire sum of N200,192,200 million inclusive 7.5 per cent VAT.

“All these are high priority job along the banks of River Niger and has the potential to improve production in the country notably rice production”

He stated the council also approved an award of contract for a dedicated power line for middle Ogun Irrigation project phase one that is in Iseyin in Oyo State.

Adamu explained that the irrigation system was powered by gas generators,” but because of deregulation and gas, it has gotten so expensive and not sustainable.

He explained, “So, we have to search for additional ways and means to power irrigation systems. We are looking at either National grid and solar.

“In this example, we have got an interim structure to enlarge power for national grid electricity to irrigation strategy and later on, before it is finished, we will take it into solar.

“The power coverage is about 3,000 hectares and now about 1,300 hectares are completed but because of lack of electricity, we can not irrigate the property. Also, the property is only being used for rare…irrigation,” he said.

Also, briefing, the Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume, as well as Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, gave reports of the visits to their home states, Benue and Nasarawa states, according to President Buhari at the Aftermath of this #EndSARS protests.

The President had led all of the Ministers to relocate to their respective nations and constituencies to port with all the youths on the attempts of this Government in attending the demands made by the protesting youths on Police brutality.