FEC APPROVES N6.6BN FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL BOOKS, N3.3BN FOR NEMA'S HELICOPTER

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday approved N6.63 billion for the purchase of textbooks in various subjects for primary 1 and 2 pupils; and library resource materials for junior secondary schools in 34 states of the country at the cost of N6.63 billion.

The council also approved N3.3 billion for the purchase of a helicopter for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), at the cost of N3.3 billion.

Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, alongside his Education Minister, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufai, said the books were to be supplied by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), while funding would be from 15 per cent of the 2 per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government.

The primary school textbooks are English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science Technology, and Social Studies. The books and library resource materials would be for public schools in the 34 states.

However, Bauchi and Lagos states were exempted from the project because they had already provided such books for their pupils.

Maku also said the council approved N5.61 billion contract for the supply and installation of new communications solutions for the eastern section of the Nigeria Railway Corporation in line with ongoing rehabilitation efforts and to conform with the latest technology and best practices in railway signalling and communications.

'Following a memorandum by the minister of transport, council approved the design supply installation and commissioning of new signalling and communication solutions for the eastern line including two branch lies for the Ministry of Transport and NRC, in the sum of N5.6 billion only, inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 14 months.'