▪N6bn for maintenance of third mainland bridge
▪To install baggage scanners in railway stations
▪Reviews old Enugu-Onitsha road contract by N17bn
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, approved three memoranda, amounting to a total sum of N18,544,797,176 for works and purchase of operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, who briefed State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, explained that the work, had to do with the restructuring of the auditorium of the Service’s headquarters, as well as the operational vehicles.
“The 337 units of operstional vehicles are aimed at easing work environment and to protect the personnel, motivate them and to allow them to do their job efficiently, especially across very difficult terrains.
“The first one had to do with the provision of additional seats in the auditorium at the customs headquarters in order to increase the sitting capacity so that it can be used for large events, seminars and meetings.
“The makeup of these items are provision and installation of audiovisual system, conference hall, finishing, provision and installation of acoustic paneling and door for the auditorium, and then partitioning and doors.
“Inclusive of this are additional seats in the auditorium, at the total cost of N1,257,612,549.76. This is inclusive of 7.5% VAT.
“The other two memos had to do with provision of operational vehicles for customs. One was for 177 vehicles; these are Toyota Coaster, Toyota Hiace (mid-roof), Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo, total of N9,378,829,942.75, for this set of 177 vehicles.
“For the other one where we had a set 160 vehicles. These are Toyota Hiluxes and also Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo, that’s 160 vehicles at a total sum of N7,908,354,685.75 and against, its inclusive of 7.5% VAT”, he said.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on his part said council approved N6.28 billion for surface maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, adding that the 24-month repair would cover 11 kilometers including interchanges, ramps, and critical links.
He said this was in line with Executive Order 11 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, in April 2022, which gave legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy.
The approval came barely two weeks after the Lagos State Government said it would undertake rehabilitation works on the 32-year-old Bridge to repair failed and peeled asphaltic sections and substructure.
However, Fashola assured Nigerians that there would be no duplication of efforts.
Fashola said the State’s Public Works Corporation would focus on the functional structure of the bridge, such as the underwater piles, while the FG would undertake surface maintenance to treat potholes and restore missing guard rails.
He said “Council approved a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the third mainland bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6.28bn for a period of 24 months.
“I have been asked about the works that have been done on the bridge before. The works are concentrating largely on the substructure of the bridge; the underwater piles, the pile caps and also the replacement of the expansion joints and the bearings.
“These are maintenance works that are critical to the structural integrity of the bridge. What we’re dealing with now is different. It is the driving surface and also the aesthetics. Some of the rails that have been stolen. Some of the pleats are misaligned at the routes that lead you on and off the bridge.”
The minister said that there were no anitcipated prolonged closures during the works.
He said the council also approved a N17.5 billion variation for the contract for the construction of the old Enugu-Onitsha road whose current sum now stands at N48.99 billion.
The Council also approved the procurement and installation of baggage scanners in all railway stations in the country.
Specifically, the baggage scanners will be installed at the railway stations including Kubwa, Idu, Jere, Rigassa, Kaduna and Kano.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, said the devices were necessary because of the need to enhance security of lives and property in the nation’s railway facilities at the cost of N495 million.
He said the devices were necessary because of the need enhance security of lives and property in the nation’s railway facilities, saying “the scanners cost N495 million.
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation had two memos today, which I presented on behalf of the ministry and it had to do with one, the provision of scanners at all railway stations all over the country.
“You’ll all agree with me that in view of the process of security of lives and property, such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations. Since we’re starting railway revolution, we are trying to put in place a lot of things with the railways. We don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.
“So, today there was a memo before Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I’m happy to inform you that the Council agreed with us and has approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and have goods, then they can pass through the scanners and they can be sure that there’s nothing that can destroy, that can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake”, he said.
Adegoro further disclosed that the Council approved a contract for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), with respect to the provision towing services for the new Lekki Deep Seaport and the Dangote Jetty in Lagos.
According to the Minister, Council approves a ten-year concession to a marine services company to provide towing services at the two locations, in order to ease operations the ports.
“The second one had to do with the provision of towing services. You will recall that the Lekki Deep Seaport was commissioned by the President a couple of months back and so because one of the statutory responsibilities of the NPA is the provision of marine services, being the regulatory agency in that sector and so because of the new Lekki Deep Support and the Dangote Jetty, the need has arisen for a company that can carry out towing services so that it will make a lot of things easier in the ports, like ship berthing will be easier, discharge of goods and will be a lot easier.
“So the Federal Executive Council also agreed with us and has given a 10 year concession to that company, Messrs Arcuff to carry out two-way services at Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Jetty”, the Minister said.
Also, the Council approved a new policy on Agricultural Extension Service, aimed at making the practice of agriculture in the country really technology-driven and aid the drive at food and nutrition security in the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, told journalists that the ministry had recruited more than 100,000 Extension Service Agents in 2022.
The Minister also disclosed, while responding to a question, that there is no food shortage in the country, assuring that the ministry would continue to support the small holder farmers, whom he said produce about 70% of the nation’s food production.
“We presented a memo today on Agricultural Extension Service in the country and the purpose is really to have a good working extension service policy. Of course, you know we do conduct researches and today the age of technology innovations, how do we get this research information to the farmers? It is done through extension service. We have Extension Service agents, which the ministry recruits from time to time. Last year, we recruited way over 100,000 Extension Service agents”, he said.
Also speaking, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, disclosed that Council approved the Metallurgical Bill 2023, which he said is like the other half of the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Policy 2023, which was also approved by Council last week.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
