Abuja, March 22, 2023 – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved over N459.084 billion worth of contacts for some ministries and parastatal agencies.
Briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo Jaji, said his ministry presented two memoranda which were approved.
He said the memoranda included the Nigerian Ports Authority’s N510.935 billion worth of requests for construction and supply of customized Fire Service Search and Rescue vans and the request for the procurement of rollingstock operation as well as maintenance equipment for the Kano-Maradi rail line at the cost of $984,722,392.
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation this afternoon, presented the memoranda to council on behalf of two of its agencies.
“The first agency was the Nigerian Ports Authority which sought to provide for the award of contract for the construction and supply of for customized Fire Service search and rescue vans for extrication of accident victims.
“The second memorandum presented by the Ministry was on behalf of the ministry itself, but for the ultimate management by the Nigerian Railway Cooperation.
“The memorandum sought council, consideration and approval for the award of contract for the procurement of rollingstock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line that is currently under construction.
Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who also addressed the journalists, said the Council approved a total of N5,157,265,770 for the construction of barracks for the NDLEA personnel.
“What was presented today by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice was a council memo at the instance or the NDLEA – National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency.
“As you are aware, there has been renewed and sustained onslaught against drug cartels and barons over time. Within the three quarters of 2023 about 18,940 arrests were affected by the NDLEA and indeed drugs the estimated value of which is over N40 billion where confiscated. Again, about 2,904 convictions were recorded.
“These successes recorded unfortunately, translated to unprecedented threats and attacks on personnel, officers, men and other ranks of the agency and then the need has arisen for the federal government to consider the possibility of taking security measures that will now provide the desired protection to the officers and men of the agency.
“So, with that in mind, what was presented before the Federal Executive Council today is a memo seeking approval for the award of contract for the construction of barracks accommodation for personnel of the drug law enforcement agency,” he said.
.Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Abubakar, said his ministry presented a memo on the revised 2022 National Agricultural Seed Policy.
According to him, the country had been operating on the 2010 policy, which was revised in 2015 before the latest revision in 2022, adding that the revision became necessary because of the need to have improved seeds.
“With the current continuous development in technology, seeds are always being upgraded, standardized four to five with several vitamins. There’s also the issue of genetically modified organisms or seeds, if you will.
“So, this revision, seeks to conform with global best practice in yield.
“Our farmers must have access to best quality seeds that have been fortified, seeds that can produce the yield that will be worth their while, seeds that can produce again, the produce that can compete in the world market. This is the basis for this particular policy,” he said. (GBN)
