FEC Approves N120.7bn For Streets, Other Projects

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved an entire amount of N120,717,387,596 for an assortment of projects that cut across states of the federation.

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

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of this 26th virtual FEC assembly, 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 ministry to the council of N117,485,081,325, which was approved.

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He explained that two have been in respect of different roads and bridges works, while the third has been for a banking software program for the Federal Mortgage Bank.

According to him, “Council announced an entire sum of N18,923,846,198.47 billion for roads and bridges. First is the rehabilitation of 26 kilometres of Kano — Kazaure — Daura — Mai’adua Road in Kano-Jigawa-Katsina States at N8.767 billion. Omor — Umulokpa Road in Anambra and Enugu N1.712 billion.

“Bridge in kilometre 22 +700 meters along Bida -Zungaru road in Niger in N1.022 billion.

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

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“The third memo has been that the procurement of a core banking software for Federal Mortgage Bank in the amount of N487.394,285.71 million for Messers FINTAX applications to empower Federal Mortgage Bank provide all the frontline services which other banks now supply across its branches nationwide.

“Contrary to other banks, national mortgage lender remains not able to send automated notices, statements and all of those to federal housing fund subscribers.

“This application will now enable the national mortgage bank to provide those sorts of services and do a good deal of reconciliation and automation credit and loan processing when fully equipped.”

Additionally, briefing, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said his ministry introduced two memoranda to Council which were the furnishing of this already completed technology building, that’s the communication and data command and control centre in the purchase price of N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

He explained an endorsement was obtained for the purchase of 44 operational vehicles meant to boost the efficiency of their officers, including Comptrollers, Assistant Comptroller Generals, Deputy Comptroller Generals and for patrol responsibilities, in the purchase price of N768,077,08 million.

He said,”Council also approved a contract to the furnishing of the technology construction, that is the information and communicating command and control centre, it will also act as the support Headquarter of Nigeria Immigration Service. The award is currently favour of messers Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the total amount approved is N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

“Council accepted the procurement of usable vehicles to boost efficiency in the service 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 at a total contract sum of N768,077,08 million.

“While the last stage of consultancy was awarded to Messers APTECH Practice Ltd, an architectural design consultant. The ward is an entire amount of N163,956,232.03. The length of the project is four weeks .”

FEC also approved a memo that sought the award of a contract to the reversed cost for an extension of the period of the consultancy solutions in Tadasungai Irrigation job in Kwara state.

Briefing on this, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu noted that Council had okayed the reversal of the total cost of the primary job and obtained approval to expand the help of the advisor, Messers Tech Consult Consultancy International and partners Ltd for another 12 months.

He explained,”It had been 24 months and 12 months expansion plus 12 months accountability interval, making it 36 for an entire sum of N200,192,200 million inclusive 7.5 percent VAT.

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

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

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

He said, “Thus, we have to search for further ways and means to power irrigation methods. We are considering either National solar and grid.

“In this example, we have obtained an interim structure to enlarge electricity for national grid power to irrigation strategy and later on, until it’s finished, we’ll take it into solar.

“The power coverage is about 3,000 hectares and right now about 1,300 hectares are finished but because of lack of power, we can’t irrigate the land. Also, the land is just being used for rare…irrigation,” he explained.

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 their visits for their home states, Benue and Nasarawa states respectively, according to President Buhari at the Wake of this #EndSARS protests.

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