The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N24.2 billion for the rehabilitation of the outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and Amansea-Enugu.
The supervising Minister of Information, Dr Nurudeen Muhammed, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said the project, which would be partly financed through the ministry’s 2014 budget as well as SURE-P 2014 appropriation, when completed, would enhance transportation in the area.
“The project upon completion will enhance transportation, communication, improve the socio-economic activities and standard of living of the citizens; reduce travel time and vehicle operating cost.
“It will also generate employment for not less than 25 engineers, 100 skilled and 435 semi-skilled workers in the course of execution of the project.
“There is a budgetary provision of N400 million in the ministry’s 2014 appropriation and N11billion under SURE-P 2014 appropriation, which is adequate for the takeoff of the project.”
He said that the council also approved the rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Yauri-Kontagora-Makera Road in Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States and Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch in Benue and Cross River State.
He said the projects upon completion would enhance socioeconomic activities as the road projects passed through rich agricultural lands in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue and Cross Rivers.
“There is a budgetary provision of N1.8billion in the ministry’s 2014 appropriation for the projects and the balance of funds for the project will be provided for in the ministry’s subsequent budgets.”
He said the council also approved the rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Yauri Road (186km) in Kebbi State at the cost of N19.8 billion, thereby revising the initial contract sum from N10.5 billion to N30.4 billion with a completion period of 36 months.
Muhammed further disclosed that the council approved an additional N10.6 billion for the completion of the rehabilitation of Sokoto-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road: Kontagora-Makera (85km) in Niger State, thereby revising the contract sum from N8.9 billion to N19.5 billion, with a completion period of 30 months.
He also stated that the council approved the rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch (completion of outstanding 12.5km) in Benue/Cross River states at the cost of N3.3 billion, thereby revising the contract sum from N3.29 billion to N6.6 billion, with completion period of 18 months.
He said the council approved N350.8 million for the procurement of Insurance cover for assets of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
According to him, the insurance cover is required annually for the maintenance of the College’s Approved Training Organisation ( ATO) Certificate issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) which precludes the operation of any aircraft without valid insurance cover.
He further stated that the approval was in line with the Federal Government’s directives that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should provide insurance cover against fire and perils on government’s assets and properties.
He said there was a budgetary provision of N450 million in the Service Wide Vote for the insurance cover for the College’s Asset.
The minister said the council also approved N200 million for the supply of Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS100LL) to the college. (NAN)
Follow Us
