The federal executive council yesterday approved a total sum of N453.9 billion for projects in the ministry of transportation, as well as N5,157,265,770 for the construction of 192 flats for the personnel of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Briefing journalists in Abuja after the weekly FEC meeting, the minister of transportation, Mr. Mu’azu Sambo, said the contracts for the ministry of transportation which is for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), involve the construction and supply of customised fire service search and rescue vans for the extrication of accident victims at the cost of N510,934,600, and for the procurement of rolling stock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line at the cost of $984,722,392.
“The federal ministry of transportation…presented memoranda to council on behalf of two of its agencies.
“The first agency was the NPA which sought to provide for the award of contract for the construction and supply for customised 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 rolling stock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line that is currently under construction.
“The contract was awarded to Messrs 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,” he said.
For his part, the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami said the council approved the sum of N5.16 billion for the construction of two accommodation facilities comprising 192 flats of various room capacities for the personnel of the NDLEA.
He said the residential quarters which will be located in Abuja would take the two contractors hired for the project 60 weeks to complete.
“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 months of 2023 about 18,940 arrests were effected by the 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.
“Accordingly, two contracts were awarded and the companies that were awarded the contract Whitchino Engineering Limited, was awarded the contract for the construction of accommodation for narcotics superintendents and narcotic assistant blocks, each consisting six numbers of three bedroom, semi detached flats, 12 flats, and five blocks each, consisting 16 number one bedroom terraces plots, 80 plots total 92 plots at the cost of N2,267,785,450. 83.
“And the second contract was awarded to JP Sigma Nigeria Limited in the sum of N2,889,480,320.55 and they are to construct accommodation for narcotics superintendents and narcotics agents, two blocks each consistent six numbers, three bedroom, semi detached flats, 12 flats and 11 blocks, each consisting eight numbers two bedrooms, semi detached 89 flats total 12 plus 88 which makes it 100 flats. So, the council memo was taken. And it was accordingly approved by the council,” he said.
