ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian government has approved the sum of N37.2 billion for the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division) building and N12.5 billion to buy 200 Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo V6 vehicles for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the approval came as part of FEC’s support for a number of policies and projects that will further boost the economy, facilitate investments and promote the ease of doing business in the country.
Onanuga said the “Council approved a contract for the building of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division at a cost of N37.2 billion. Project will be executed by Messrs Visible Construction Limited.
“Council approved the request by Nigeria Customs Service to buy 200 Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo V6 at a cost of N12.5 billion.
“All the vehicles will be CNG powered. Government also approved insurance cover for the vehicles at a cost of N522 million. The cover will be provided by NEM.”
He also said that FEC approved the award of a contract for the building of bus terminals and other transport facilities in the Federal Capital, Abuja.
He said, “Terminals will be built within 15 months at Kugbo, Abuja Central Business District and Mabushi. The whole project will cost N51 billion and will be executed by Planet Projects Nigeria Limited, which did similar contracts in Lagos and Oyo states.”
He further stated that FEC also approved a Special Purpose Vehicle to be created on a PPP basis to develop 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to increase Nigeria’s internet connectivity by 60-70 percent, adding that the SPV intended to copy the NLNG model.
“Council approved the request of the Ministry of Communications to convert the property at 324 Jackson Street, San Francisco, USA into a Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Programme Hub. Property owned by the Nigerian government is valued at close to $7million.
“Council approved the award of contract to Messrs El & Matt Nigeria Limited to upgrade Kwaita-Yebu Road in Kuala Area Council of Abuja at a cost of N7.6 billion. Completion time is 18 months.
“The Council awarded a contract at a cost of N412 million for street lights on Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Expressway. The job includes the procurement of 8 back-up generators, which will be powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Solar, in line with the government’s decision about migrating from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
“The council discussed extensively the need for this energy transition, as it is climate friendly, because of low emissions and also because it will reduce cost of transportation and inflation.
“Messrs Yuan Resources Limited was awarded the concession to deploy a revenue assurance platform under PPP arrangement in the lottery and gaming sector.
“Council approved Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway for construction, at a cost of N1.6 trillion.
“Approval was granted for the award of contract for reconstruction of Koton-Karfe -Abaji Road (Abuja bound), along Abuja-Lokoja Route in Kogi state at a cost of N89 billion,” Onanuga said.
Also, FEC approved the award of a contract for the equalisation of Lokoja-Benin Road, Okpela Section, Lokoja-Benin, Dualised Auchi Section -Uromi Link Road and Lokoja-Benin Road, Ekpoma Section.
“It was on this road that a fuel tanker fell into high water recently, with villagers having to swim to rescue the occupants of the tanker.
“The reconstruction will be financed by BUA Cement at a cost of N120 billion under the tax credit scheme,” he said.
The FEC also approved contracts to various contractors to build roads and bridges in Kaima-Tesse, Kwara State, Benin-Agbor, Benin Bypass and Ngaski-Wara in Kebbi State at a sum of N546 billion.
Similarly, Messrs CCECC was awarded a contract at N230 billion to build the Kano Bypass which is 37 km long, including bridges and several flyovers.
Onanuga said, “The company has 36 months to complete the work,” adding that FEC also approved the procurement of the Sokoto-Illela-Badagry superhighway, meant to join the Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway.
“The road was first awarded in 1976 and then abandoned,” he said.
