FG awards N58bn road contracts, ports construction

The Federal government on Wednesday approved the awards of roads contracts worth over N57 billion and construction of port’s berth in Lagos . At the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed alongside Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen; Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; and the Minister of Transport, Umar Idris, announced a massive road rehabilitation across the country.

The roads include the rehabilitation of the outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea-Enugu in Enugu State in the sum of N24.243billion; rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birni Yauri Road: Jega-Birni Yauri (186km) in Kebbi State in the sum of N19.8billion; rehabilitation of Sokoto-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road: Kontagora-Makera (85km) in Niger State  the sum N10.6billion; and the rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch (completion of outstanding 12.5km) in Benue/Cross River States in sum of N3.3billion.

He said the council also approved the award of contract for the construction of Berth 21 at Terminal ‘E’ Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos in the sum $59.69million including all taxes at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.

The minister said that approval was also given for the construction of the Inland River Port at Makurdi, Benue State.

“The project will link the hinterland in the northern central states of the country to the coastal ports and among other things ease the process of evacuation of agricultural products, petroleum products, bulk cargoes and distribution of essential imports.

“The project is also to generate employment, expand riverine activities and greatly improve socio- economic development of Benue State and its environs.

“There is a budgetary provision of the sum of  N600,000,000.00 in the 2014 appropriation of NIWA for the construction of the Makurdi Inland River Port. The balance of funds for the project will be provided for in the NIWA’s subsequent budgets.

“After due consultation and particularly paying attention to compliance with due process, council approved the award of contract for the construction of Inland River Port at Makurdi, Benue State in the sum of N3.8billion inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 18 months,” he stated.

The minister added that the council approved the contract for the procurement of insurance cover for assets of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria to the tune of N350.8million.

He said the insurance cover is required annually for the maintenance of the college’s Approved Training Organisation Certificate issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority which precludes the operation of any aircraft without valid insurance cover.

According to him, there was a budgetary provision of N450 million in the Service Wide Vote for the insurance cover for the college’s asset.

Muhammed said the council also approved the purchase of Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS100LL) for the college in the sum of N200million.

“The Minister brought a memo to seek the council’s approval for the award of contract for the supply of 1600 drums of Aviation Gasoline ( AVGAS 100LL) for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

“The NCAT is the flagship institution of the aviation industry in Nigeria with the mandate for training and retraining of pilots and trainees for the aviation sector.

“To fulfill this mandate, the College has a fleet of 19 piston engine Trainer Aircrafts. In order to sustain its flight training operations, the College needs steady supply of the gasoline.

“There is a budgetary provision of N227,581,203.00 in the ministry’s 2014 Appropriation for the supply of Aviation Gasoline.

“After deliberations, Council approved the award of the contract for the supply of 1600 drums of Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS 100LL) for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), Zaria in the sum of N200 million with a completion period of four months,” he said.

The council also approved the policy measures to reposition the Nigerian Cotton, Textile and Garment sector as envisaged in the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan.

He said the policy would significantly increase foreign savings by reducing the estimated $2billion currently being spent in importing the bulk of the nation’s textiles and garment needs.