By Juliet Jacob
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) held its weekly meeting Wednesday with the approval of contract awards worth N459 billion for projects in the Ministry of Transportation, as well as the construction of 192 flats for personnel of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Contracts for the Transportation Ministry which are for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), involve the construction and supply of customized Fire Service Search and Rescue vans for the extrication of accident victims at the cost of N510,934,600, and for procurement of rollingstock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line at the cost of $984,722,392.
According to the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, “The Federal Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday presented memoranda to council on behalf of two of its agencies.
“The first agency was the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) which sought to provide for the award of contract for the construction and supply for customized Fire Service search and rescue vans for extrication of accident victims.
“For Rivers Ports, Port Harcourt, Lagos Port complex, Tin Can Island Port and Marina headquarters in Lagos, Council considered the memorandum and approved the award of the contract as recommended.
“And reviewed by the Bureau of Public Procurement in the sum of N510,934,600 million inclusive of seven and a half per cent VAT with a completion period of nine months in favour of Messrs All Works Commercial Company Limited.
“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’s 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.
“The contract was awarded to Messers Motor Engine Nigeria Limited who are the contractors handling this particular projects in the sum of $984,722,302.05 inclusive of seven and a half per cent VAT with a completion period of four years.”
Also briefing the media, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, spoke on the contract award approved for the construction of barracks for the personnel of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency – (NDLEA) at the total cost of N5,157,265,770, stressing the need to provide them with security because of the threat from drugs criminals.
He said: “What was presented today by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice was a council memo at the instance or the – National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency – (NDLEA).
“As you are aware, there has been renewed and sustained onslaught against drug cartels and barons over time. Within the three months of 2023 about 18,940 arrests were effected by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and indeed drugs with 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.”
