Tinubu’s government has sanctioned N37.2 billion for the construction of the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division) building and N12.5 billion for the procurement of 200 Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo V6 vehicles for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
This approval was granted during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stated that this decision reflects FEC’s commitment to supporting various policies and projects aimed at enhancing the economy, encouraging investments, and facilitating business operations within 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 mentioned that the FEC approved a contract for the construction of bus terminals and other transportation facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He explained, “Terminals will be constructed within 15 months at Kugbo, Abuja Central Business District, and Mabushi. The entire project will cost N51 billion and will be carried out by Planet Projects Nigeria Limited, which has successfully executed similar contracts in Lagos and Oyo states.”
Additionally, he highlighted that the FEC endorsed the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to develop 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, aiming to increase Nigeria’s internet connectivity by 60-70 percent. He noted that the SPV intends to adopt a model similar to that of the NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) project.
“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.
Furthermore, the FEC sanctioned a contract for the rehabilitation of the Lokoja-Benin Road, specifically focusing on the Okpela Section, the Dualised Auchi Section-Uromi Link Road, and the Ekpoma Section of the Lokoja-Benin Road.
Highlighting recent incidents, he noted, “It was on this road that a fuel tanker recently plunged into deep water, prompting villagers to swim to rescue the occupants of the tanker.”
The reconstruction of these road sections, valued at N120 billion, will be funded by BUA Cement through the tax credit scheme.
Moreover, the FEC approved contracts for the construction of roads and bridges in various locations, including Kaima-Tesse in Kwara State, Benin-Agbor, Benin Bypass, and Ngaski-Wara in Kebbi State, amounting to N546 billion.
Additionally, a contract valued at N230 billion was awarded to Messrs CCECC for the construction of the Kano Bypass, which spans 37 kilometers and includes bridges and multiple 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.
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