N124bn Oshodi-Apapa, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Ondo roads get FG’s nud
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan today approved critical road contracts across the country totalling N123.73 billion.
In addition, FG has also announced that the movement of container traffic by rail from Lagos to Kaduna would commence on Friday, while four new Chinese made locomotives and two German made railway cranes would also be commissioned.
According to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed State house correspondents alongside the Ministers of Works, Mike Onolememen, Transport, Senator Idrs Umar, Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, announced that the movement of container traffic by rail from Lagos to Kaduna would commence this week while four new Chinese made locomotives and two German made railway cranes would also be commissioned
He said the Apapa-Oshodi Road, a gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island ports and part of Trans West Africa Highway (Coastal) is of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region.
He sais due to aging, the road had virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying goods to and from the ports. The drainage system had also collapsed.
The roads approved according to Onolememen are the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Section 2 Phase II: Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway and Service lands; Beach land junction (Ch7+000-Cele Bus Stop CH 15+000 Cele Bus Stop CH 15+600 to Cele Bus Stop CH 15+200 an’s LHS CH +000 Cele Bus Stop CH 15+200), in favor of Messrs Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc. In the sum of N14,989,647,635.65, with a completion period of 15 months.
He said Council also approved the rehabilitation of two roads under the Federal Roads Development Project (FRDP).
According to him, “The rehabilitation of the road will improve road safety and reductions in traveling time, vehicle operating cost and road user cost. The rehabilitation of the roads will also greatly boost trade and economic activities along the routes, thereby contributing to the poverty reduction and employment generation.
“After deliberations, council approved the award of contract for Lot C: rehabilitation of Mokwa-Bida Road, in favor of Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N10,905,079,026.60, with a completion period of 24 months.
“The council also approved the award of contract for Lot D: rehabilitation of Akure-Ilesha Road, in favor Messrs Kopek Construction Limited, in the sum of N7,399,411,728.50, with a completion period of 21 months.
“Council approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway Section 1: Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower (KM 61+000 – KM 120+500) in Abia State in favor of Messrs Setraco (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N39,548,900,597.79, with a completion period of 40 months.
“The council also approved the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway Section 11: Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crosdinh (KM 120+500-KM176+600) in Abia State, in favor of Messrs Arab Contractors O. A. O. (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N50,892,770,772.04, with a completion period of 40 months”.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinned Nebo said that council approved the design, manufacture and supply of six units of 40MVA 132/33KV Mobile substations
“In pursuits of the ongoing reinforcement of transmission substations nation wide, the transmission company of Nigeria , TCN PLC requires additional procurement of the 40 MVA 132/133KV mobile substations for utilization nationwide for the purpose of maintaining continuity of supply to consumers during major works at existing substations.
“A total of 138 direct jobs would be created at the six sub stations and 1,380 indirect jobs as a result of a multiplier effect on the economy”.
According to Nebo after consideration, Council approved the contract complete with spare parts and accessories, in favour of messrs Liaoning Efacec Electrical Equipment co. Ltd , in the sum of $10, 278, 650.00, payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment and N247, 358, 795.85, for port clearing, transportation and VAT. It has eight months delivery period.
Maku said also said council ratified President’s anticipatory approval for the ratification of arms trade treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 2nd April, 2013 to regulate the transfer of Conventional Arms in order to control access by non state actors.
He said Nigeria as coordinator of the African Group played a major role in ensuring the inclusion of the concerns of Africa in he final document.
He said the treaty will regulate the transfer of conventional arms including Small and Light weapons and thereby control the transfer of arms to non state actors.
Council also approved the ratification/ accession to two United Nations conventions.
“The attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice brought a memo to seek council’s approval to ratify/accede to the following two United Nations conventions against terrorism, which are the subject of a pledge by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Natuons: Convention against taking of hostages adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 17th December, 1979.
“International convention for the suppression of Terrorists bombings, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 15th December, 1997.
“In order to attain and maintain global standards, the council approved the ratification/ accession to the two conventions as detailed above.
“The Council also directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to prepare the instruments of the ratification/accession of the two conventions”.