FG boosts security in NRC system with N495m
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the contract sum of N495 million for scanners to be installed at railway stations nationwide.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Adegoroye said the contract became imperative following the need to secure the investments made by the government in the rail sector.
“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 or can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake.
“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.
“Of course, there was this argument that why would the companies that provide such services at the Apapa and Tin-Can ports not just go and do it. One, we think it may overstretch that company, they may not have the capacity to cope and secondly, we want Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Jetty to be able to perform maximally.
“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.”
Also, the Minister of Mine and Steel Development, Adegbite Olamilekan, said
a policy on mining (Nigerian Mineral and Mining policy 2023) was also approved.
“Today, we passed on the other half on Ministry’s mandate, that is the meteorological Bill for 2023 as well. This is a bill that has some history to the last assembly that ended in 2019. This bill was passed by FEC but before passage into law at the National Assembly, it was opposed by some stakeholders.
“Particularly, the Nigerian Society of Engineers felt that they were not carried along fully. So, coming on board we took this bill and refined it. Of course there were a few other things that needed to come in but this time around we took all the stakeholders along especially the Presidential Committee on Ease of doing Business. They endorced it and thats why its been brought to council.
He however, expressed optimism that even at this stage it can still be passed into law at the National assembly and Mr President will give assent to the Bill.
Furthermore, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the ministry presented two memoranda to council and both were approved.
“The first was with regard to contract cost revision by way of augmentation for the old Enugu/Onitsha Road, from Okpi Junction, all the way to Udioji to Anambra border in Enugu state. The augmentation was in the sum of N17,050,000,000, which revised the contract to N48,996,488,925 Naira with an additional completion time of 42 months.
“The second contract was a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the Third Mainland Bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6,278,063,585.58 for a period of 24 months. This is in consonance with the Executive Order 11 signed by Mr. President for the continued maintenance of public infrastructure.
“So, this contract is in response to the potholes that have become manifest on the entire pavement of the deck of the bridge, spanning 11 kilometers and the interchanges at Adeniji Adele, Adekunle, and Gbagada ramps that all link the bridge.”
The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, also presented three memos on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service to the Federal Executive Council.
The first one had 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, ground, provision and installation of acoustic paneling and door for the auditorium, and then partitioning and doors. Inclusive of this is additional seats at the auditorium, at the total cost of N1,257,612,549.76. This is inclusive of 7.5% VAT.
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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.
This, according to him is to help to protect the personnel, motivate them and to allow them to do their job efficiently, especially across very difficult terrains.
