FEC Okays N120.7bn For Roads, Other Projects

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about
N120,717,387,596 for the implementation of various projects across
the country.

The approvals came during the 26th meeting of the council
presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential
villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

Ministers of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Interior,
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and Water Resources Suleiman Adamu, who
addressed correspondents on the matter, explained the contracts as
they concerned projects in their various ministries.

Fashola said his ministry got approval for three memoranda,
totalling N117,485,081,325, saying that while two were in respect
of various roads and bridges works, the third was for a banking
application software for the Federal Mortgage Bank.

He explained: “Council approved a total 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 the Kano-Jigawa-Katsina States at N8.767 billion.
Omor – Umulokpa Road in Anambra and Enugu N1.712 billion.

“Rehabilitation of Oye – Oranto off Enugu Express Dunukofia in
Anambra At N2.504 billion. Okpokwu Bridge along Ogoja – Okuku –
Aliforkpa-Benue Road in Cross River N1.057 billion.

“Bridge at kilometre 22 +700 meters along 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.

“The other memorandum relating to roads is for the total sum of
N98,73,840,842.81 billion. The roads are in Rijiya – Gusau Road in
Zamfara N1.799 billion; Jega – Kwanar Sanagi – Kebbi – Gunmi Road
in Kebbi N31.539 billion; Koko- Mahuta Road in Kebbi, N19.713
billion; Kukar Babangida – Gangara Road in 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.

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

“Unlike other banks, Federal Mortgage Bank is still unable to
send automated notices, statements and all of those to national
housing fund contributors. This application will now enable the
federal mortgage bank to provide those kinds of services and do a
lot of automation and reconciliation loan and credit processing
when fully installed.”

On his part, Aregbesola said his ministry presented two
memoranda to Council, one of which was the furnishing of the
already completed technology building (the data and communication
command and control centre) at the cost of N2,100,080,759.65
billion.

It was awarded in favour of messers Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at
the total sum approved of N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

He said Council also approved the purchase of 44 operational
vehicles for meant to enhance the efficiency of the officers
recently promoted, which include Comptrollers, Assistant
Comptroller Generals, Deputy Comptroller Generals as well as for
patrol duties, at the cost of N768,077,08 million.

Aregbesola added: “The council approved procurement of 44
operational vehicles at a total contract sum of N768,077,08
million. The beneficiaries are messers PAN, Kawra and Wanla Motors
Nigeria Ltd.

“While the final phase of consultancy was given to Messers
APTECH Practice Ltd, architectural design consultants. The ward is
a total sum of N163,956,232.03. The duration of the project is four
months.”

FEC also approved a memo seeking the award of contract for the
reversed cost for an extension of time of the consultancy services
at Tadasungai Irrigation project in Kwara State.

Minister of Water Resources, Adamu recalled that council had
okayed the reversal of the total cost of the main project and the
ministry got approval to extend the services of the consultant,
Messers Tech Consult Consultancy International and associates, Ltd
for another 12 months.

“It was 24 months plus 12 months extension plus 12 months
liability period, making it 36 for a total sum of N200,192,200
million inclusive 7.5 per cent VAT. 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 Minister said the council also approved the award of
contract for a dedicated power line for middle Ogun Irrigation
project phase one which is in Iseyin in Oyo State.

According to him, the irrigation system used to be powered by
diesel generators, “but because of deregulation and with diesel it
has become so expensive and not sustainable.

“So, we have to look for other ways and means to power
irrigation systems. We are looking at both the National grid and
solar. In this case, we have an interim arrangement to extend power
for national grid power to irrigation scheme and in the future,
before it is finished, we will take it to solar.”

He said that capacity coverage is about 3,000 hectares while
about 1,300 hectares have already been finished but cannot be
irrigated because of lack of power.