SAN FRANCISCO, August 21, (THEWILL) – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday okayed the sum of N125.626 billion for the contracts to reconstruct five major roads and the procurement of six units of 40MVA 132/33 KV mobile substations for electricity supply in the country.
The FEC at its weekly meeting also ratified and okayed for domestication, the United Nations Treaty on Arms Trade and two other Conventions which criminalise hostage taking and the suppression of terrorists bombings.
Disclosing this while briefing journalists after the meeting presided by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was the Minister of Information, Mallam Labaran Maku, accompanied by his counterparts in the Ministries of Power, Works and Transport: Professor Chinedu Nebo, Mike Onolememem and Senator Idris Umar respectively.
According to the approval given by FEC, the five roads projects, gulping N123. 735bn, include the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway section 2 Phase II; Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota expressway and service lands; Beach land junction as well as six other parts of Cele Bus Stop in Lagos.
Other roads to be covered under the Federal Roads Development Project (FRDP) are the Mokwa-Bida Road and Akure-Ilesha Road, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway spanning Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crossing in Abia State.
“The Apapa-Oshodi Road is a gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island ports and part of Trans West Africa Highway (Coastal). It is therefore of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region.
“Due to aging, the road has virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying good to and from the ports. The drainage system had also collapsed,” Onolememen explained.
Prof. Nebo, who presented a memo on power to FEC at the meeting, seeking approval for the design, manufacture and supply of six units of 40MVA 132/33KV Mobile substations worth N1.8 billion, said “In pursuits of the ongoing reinforcement of transmission substations nation wide, the transmission company of Nigeria, TCN Plc requires additional procurement of the 40 MVA 132/33 KVmobile substations for utilisation nationwide for the purpose of maintaining continuity of supply to consumers during major works at existing substations.”
According to the Power Minister, “A total of 138 direct jobs would be created at the six sub stations and 1,380 indirect jobs as a result of a multiplier effect on the economy.”
He disclosed that after consideration, FEC approved the memo, complete with spare parts and accessories to be supplied by Messrs Liaoning Efacec Electrical Equipment co. Ltd , for $10, 278, 650.00, payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment and N247, 358, 795.85, for port clearing, transportation and VAT and with eight months delivery period.
Maku said the ratification of the United Nations arms trade treaty and conventions was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 2nd April, 2013 to regulate the transfer of Conventional Arms in order to control access by non state actors.
“Nigeria as coordinator of the African Group played a major role in ensuring the inclusion of the concerns of Africa in the final document. The treaty will regulate the transfer of conventional arms including Small and Light weapons and thereby control the transfer of arms to non state actors, “ he said.
He explained that Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice presented a memo to seek council’s approval to ratify/accede to two United Nations conventions against terrorism, which are the subject of a pledge by President Jonathan to the United Nations.
The two conventions include Convention against taking of hostages adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 17th December, 1979 and International convention for the suppression of terrorists bombings, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 15th December, 1997.
FEC therefore directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to prepare the instruments of the ratification/accession of the two conventions.
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