FCT security: FEC approves N2.6bn for utility vehicles, gadgets

By Ukpono Ukpong

As part of efforts to further secure lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the purchase of operational vehicles and various security equipment to support security agencies in the FCT.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello who disclosed this at the end of the FEC meeting said the approval involved two contracts totaling N 2,682, 248,378.52.

The Minister disclosed that the first contract which is for the procurement of 60 units of Ford Ranger 4×4 wheel drive vehicles with security communication accessories including 3 years post sales service was awarded to Messrs Coscharis Motors Ltd at the sum of N1,835,108,613.95.

He also explained that the second contract which is for the purchase of various security gadgets and accessories to support security agencies in the FCT, was awarded to Messrs E&S Technology Ltd at the sum of N847, 139,764.57.

The Minister assured that with this massive support to security agencies, efforts to curtail security challenges in the FCT will be further enhanced.

He also appealed to residents of the Territory to support the FCT Administration and the security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the nation’s capital by being security conscious and providing useful information to the relevant authorities when possible.

Also speaking, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the FEC also approved a memo for the development National Monitoring and Evaluation policy for the country.

“Today, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning presented a policy memo to Council and the memo is on the National Monitoring and Evaluation policy for the country. The policy defines a framework for the institutionalisation of the practice of monitoring and evaluation to promote good governance, learning and accountability for results that will contribute to improve socio-economic development of the country and enhance the wellbeing of citizens.

“The policy clarifies how M&E should be conducted in the country, specify the position, institutional and financial arrangements and the modalities for feedback, especially from citizens so that decision makers can make effective use of evidence by government and stakeholders to inform policy strategies and investment. The council approved the memo.

She disclosed that the National Monitoring and Evaluation policy was developed in close collaboration with the states, development partners, academia and several experts and associations of monitoring and evaluation in Nigeria.

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, also said: “I presented a memo today at council with respect to the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport under the public private partnership arrangement, where the private sector will inject money for the development of the port and at the end of the concessionary period, the port reverts to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

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“The project cost as contained and approved in council based on the final business case as approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in line with extant laws stood at $2.59 billion. It has to be developed in four phases with milestones and the concessional period of 45 years. Reversion is, like I said, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, DailyTimesNGR gathered.

This is to further the government’s goal of making Nigeria the maritime hub of the West and Central Africa sub-region.

“This project, it may interest you to know, will also generate a total revenue of over $53.6 billion over the concession period. It will create about one quarter million jobs and also attract foreign direct investments to the country and help in improving Nigeria’s economy in general and the wellbeing of Nigerians.” He said

Also, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, said “there’s a memo presented by Secretary to the Government today which is to procure operational vehicles for the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, the ICPC. The ICPC made a request to procure 25 operational vehicles; 13 Toyota Hilux 2.7 litres and Peugeot 3008 SUV for a total sum of N810, 534,380.72.

“The need for the procurement is based on the fact that the ICPC has increased its activities and this has been occasioned by improved management, expansion of scope of operations, through establishment of more state offices across the country, increase in personnel, among others.

“As you know, the ICPC, today, has also taken over supervision of consistency in projects. The memo request was approved and is to Messrs Kaura Motors Limited.”