FEC APPROVES N64BN ROADS CONTRACTS

The Federal Executive Council yesterday awarded a total of N64 billion worth of road contracts during its weekly meeting. Out of the total sum, over N53 billion was awarded for roads in the Niger Delta, while over N10 billion was awarded for roads in the Federal Capital Territory.

While briefing newsmen after the weekly FEC meeting, which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili alongside the ministers of state for FCT, Caleb Olubolade; Niger Delta, Samuel Ode; Power, Nuhu Way and Information, Labaran Maku said: 'The Niger Delta road contracts constitute a major component of the post-amnesty intervention projects of the Federal Government to improve the road network in the Niger Delta Region.'

The road contracts awarded include; Ogriagbene-Torugbene Road in the sum of N12.875 billion; re-construction of Benin-Abraka Road in the sum of N9.750 billion; Orhorho junction-Odorubu-Kpakiama- Bomadi road in the sum of N9.635 billion; 35km Okputuite-Mbato junction-Orie market-Lomara Igwebuike Road in Abia State in the sum of N9.01billion; Omelema-Agada 2 road in the sum of N6, 22 billion and rehabilitation of Okpuala-Igwurunta Road in the sum of N6.411billion.

The FCT minister also tabled a memo before council, seeking approval for the award of contract for the construction of Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) - Bwari Road in the FCT. 'In order to open up rural areas in the FCT, council approved the award of contract for the construction of ONEX-Bwari Road in the FCT, in favour of Messrs Parsons Science Engineering Company Ltd, in the sum of N2.017 billion the completion period is 24 months,' Akunyili said.

Council also approved the award of contract for the phase 1 of the Provision of Infrastructure to Apo Estate Layout, in favour of Messrs CAT Construction Group Limited, in the sum of N2.919 billion out of the total project sum of N5.754 billion. The completion period is 30 months. Council further approved the award of contract for the construction of phase 1 of the Southern Parkway from Christian Centre (S8/9) to Ring Road 1, Abuja in favour of Messrs Setraco (Nig) Ltd, in the sum of N5.333 billion with a completion period of 30 months.

Council also approved a total of N12.5 billion worth of contracts for power. Briefing on the issue, the minister of State for Information said this was according to the laid out plan for the power sector, with more projects to be unfolded.

The power projects include the engineering, design, manufacture, procurement, supply, construction and commissioning of the 12.4km Katampe-National Stadium 132KV double-circuit transmission line, in favour of Messrs Energo (Nig) Ltd., in the sum of £8.248 million payable at a prevailing rate of exchange plus N888.5 million only, inclusive of a provisional sum of N365.8 million, for right of way compensation, five per cent VAT on onshore payments, and 10 per cent contingency, with a completion period of 18 months.

Another power project approved by the FEC was the engineering procurement, construction and commissioning of the 90km Onitsha-Oba-Nnewi-Ideato-Okigwe 132KV double-circuit transmission line, in favour of Messrs Dual/Zamil Steels Ltd., in the sum of $5.5 million payable at prevailing exchange rate plus N497.9 million, inclusive of a provisional sum of N290.4 million for right of way compensation, five per cent VAT on onshore payments and 10 per cent contingency.

Also, the FEC approved the award of contract for the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the 60km Akwanga to Lafia 132KV double circuit transmission line, in favour of Messrs Batemen (Nig) Ltd., in the sum of £3.3 million payable at the prevailing exchange rate, plus N692.1 million, inclusive of a provisional sum of N240.4 million, for right of way compensation, five per cent VAT on onshore payments and 10 per cent contingency.

Contract for the provision of aviation services for transmission line survey and digital mapping, for the Transmission Company of Nigeria PLC, was also approved by the FEC in favour of Messrs Penuel Consulting LLC, in the sum of $3.6 million.

The FEC also approved a contract for the design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of seven units of transmission sub-stations, also for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Plc.

The transmission sub-stations are 2 X 30/40MVA, 132/33KV substation at Kurfi and 2 X 132KV line bay extension at Katsina substation, in favour of Messrs Gracehill Energy (Nig) Ltd., in the sum of $6.1 million, only payable at the prevailing exchange rate, plus N734.5 million, inclusive of a provisional sum of N194.5 million for five per cent VAT on onshore payments, compensation and contingency, with a completion period of 24 months.

Another sub-station was the 2 X 30/40MVA, 132/33KV substation at Dutsinma and 2 X 132KV line bay extension at Kurfi substation, in favour of Messrs Hoquado Ltd., in the sum of $5.1 million, plus N634.5 million inclusive of a provisional sum of N167.3 million, for five per cent VAT on onshore payments, compensation and contingency, with a completon period of 24 months.

The 2 X 30/40MVA, 132/33KV sub-station at Kankara and 2 X 132KV line bay extension at Dutsinma, in favour of Messrs PEL-NESPAK JV, in the sum of $5.060 million, plus N621.8 million inclusive of a provisional sum N163.1 million for five per cent VAT on onshore payments, compensation and contingency.