FEC approves N124bn for repair of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, four others
The Executive Council of the Federation, FEC,has approved contracts worth N124 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of road networks across the country.
The council also gave approval for the design, manufacture and supply of six units of 40MVA 132/33KV, mobile substations, at the cost of about $10 million (N1.6 billion)
Some of the roads to be rehabilitated include the Apapa-Oshodi Expessway which is considered a major gateway to the Apapa and Tincan Island ports and part of Trans West Africa Highway (Coastal).
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan.
While providing details of the contracts, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememe, said the “roads are of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region”
“Due to aging, the road (Apapa-Oshodi Expressway) had virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying good to and from the ports. The drainage system had also collapsed,” he said.
The minister said FEC after careful consideration approved the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Section 2 Phase II. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc, for N15 billion, with a completion period of 15 months.
Mr. Onolememe said the rehabilitation of the roads will also improve road safety and reductions in traveling time, vehicle operating cost, and road user cost.
“The rehabilitation of the roads will also greatly boost trade and economic activities along the routes, thereby contributing to the poverty reduction and employment generation,” he said.
The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway is not the only one approved for rehabilitation.
“After deliberations, council approved the award of contract got Lot C: rehabilitation of Mokwa-Bida Road, in favor of Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N10,905,079,026.60, with a completion period of 24 months.
“The council also approved the award of contract for Lot D: rehabilitation of Akure-Ilesha Road, in favor Messrs Kopek Construction Limited, in the sum of N7,399,411,728.50, with a completion period of 21 months”
“Council approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway Section 1: Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower (KM 61+000 – KM 120+500) in Abia State in favor of Messrs Setraco (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N39,548,900,597.79, with a completion period of 40 months,” the minister said.
The Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway Section 11, from Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge to Crosdinh in Abia State, was also approved in favour of Arab Contractors O. A. O. (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N50 billion , with a completion period of 40 months.
On the procurement of the mobile station, the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, said in pursuit of the ongoing reinforcement of transmission substations nationwide, the transmission company of Nigeria , TCN PLC, requires additional procurement of the 40 MVA 132/33KV mobile substations for the purpose of maintaining continuous electricity supply to consumers during major works at existing substations.
Mr. Nebo said 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.
“After consideration, (Council) approved the memo, complete with spare parts and accessories, in favour of Messrs Liaoning Efacec Electrical Equipment co. Ltd , in the sum of $10, 278, 650.00, payable at the prevailing exchange rate the time of payment and N247, 358, 795.85, for port clearing, transportation and VAT; with 8 months delivery period”
He also announced that this will allow generated power to be evacuated, adding that “they shall be as standby when major repairs are taking place. The alternative is to make these people stay without powers for years. They are like spare parts that can be deployed to boost supply.”
He also announced that seven of the ten new power plants being built by the federal government are now ready for commissioning, while 150 out of the 220 injection substations are also ready for commissioning.
Mr. Nebo also used the opportunity to call on the successful bidders for the various power plants to pay up the remaining 75% and reiterated that government will not extend the period to them to pay up
“Today is the last day for the payment for the discos. I am happy to announce to you that we are receiving very favorable response. We are not extending the time for payment as there are people waiting on the fringes”
Federal government also announced the ratification of the United Nations arms trade treaty.
The Information Minister, Labaran Maku, told journalists that a memorandum was brought to the FEC seeking the ratification of the President’s anticipatory approval for the ratification of arms trade treaty 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. He said 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 is expected to regulate the transfer of conventional arms including small and light weapons and thereby control the transfer of arms to non state actors.
After deliberations, council ratified the president’s anticipatory approval for the treaty by Nigeria.
The attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice also brought a memo to council seeking for approval to ratify/accede to two United Nations conventions against terrorism: the United Nations Convention against taking of hostages adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 17th December, 1979; and the International convention for the suppression of Terrorists bombings was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 1997.
In order to attain and maintain global standards, the council approved the ratification/ accession to the two conventions as detailed above.
The council also directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to prepare the instruments of the ratification/accession of the two conventions.
- Premiumtimes
