FEC approves N89.6bn for road, aviation projects

*Okays new policy on Internally Displaced Persons

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, approved about ₦89.6billion worth of contracts under the Ministries of Works and Housing; and Aviation.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, revealed this to State House correspondents alongside the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk; and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, saying that FEC approved the contract for the dualisation of the Odukpani-Itu―Ikot Ekpene road for the sum of ₦79.649bn.

Fashola explained that the approved contract also covers the section from Oku Iboku Power Plant to Abak which runs for about 26-kilometre stretch.

He said: The Ministry of Works and Housing presented the memorandum for the completion of the dualisation of the Odukpani-Itu―Ikot Ekpene road. And this is in relation to the section from Oku Iboku Power Plant to Abak of about 26 kilometre stretch.

“Council approved the award to Messers Sematech Nigeria Ltd. for ₦79.649 billion to be executed over 16 months.

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“So, this will help complete the dualisation gaps between the one awarded to Julius Berger and the section awarded to CCECC. When this is done, motorists in that area will now have an option of the dual carriageway instead of the existing single carriageway.

“This is in recognition of the heavy cargo that passes through that area from the south-south through to the north central, Benue through Katsina Ala through to the South-East to Abia. It’s a very important trade link for the country.”

Adesina, who briefed correspondents on behalf of the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, remarked that the ministry brought the memo for the approval of the award of contracts for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; and Katsina Airport, Katsina.

He said: “For Lagos, it was for the expansion of the terminal building at the domestic terminal, for the sum of ₦2.817bn. For the Katsina Airport, it is the expansion of Katsina Airport Apron, awarded at ₦527m.”

According to him, there was also the expansion of Lagos Cargo Apron Area awarded at ₦1.982bn, expansion of Abuja Domestic Apron Area at N795m and expansion of Kano Apron Area at N1.059bn. So those are contracts awarded in the Aviation sector.

Also, the FEC has approved a new National Policy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, disclosed this when she briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

She described the policy as a milestone in government’s determination to bring succour to displaced persons.

“Today at Council, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, presented a memo for the approval of a draft national policy on Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.

“I must say that today is a great day for the ministry and the government because this administration has reached another milestone for the purpose of internally displaced persons.

“The National Policy on Internal Displacements provides a platform for all relevant actors in the humanitarian and development space to key in and contribute towards a common goal,” he said.

According to the minister, the overall goal of the policy is to strengthen the institutional mechanism and frameworks for the realization of the rights, dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable populations through the mitigation of impact and achievement of durable solutions to internal displacements.

She said: “With the approval of the policy, a multi-sectorial structure will fully emerge, which will ensure a coordinated, operational and strategic response to all the humanitarian challenges our great nation is facing.”