…Approves creation of a Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo
By Uthman Salami
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts of N27.4 billion for projects to be undertaking in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Works and Housing Ministry.
In the same vein, FEC further gave approval for the creation of a Federal University of Health Sciences and the draft of a bill for the enactment of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire, Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
While speaking with Journalists immediately after the virtual meeting of the FEC, the Ministers of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; FCT, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello; Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, explained the indices of the various contracts approved by the FEC.
Yesterday’s FEC was presided over by the President, Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr. Bello, said his ministry got approval for the procurement of a light-duty towing truck for N286,302,277.50.
While reeling out the figure, the Minister said, “In today’s council meeting, I presented a memo for the award of contract for the procurement of a light duty towing truck, including a-10 ton crane attachment for the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, under the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“This truck is meant to complement and add to the fleet of vehicles that the directory has so that it can enhance our activities of towing vehicles. I’ve seen of accidents also towing vehicles when they are impounded. This contract has been awarded to a company called CIF Global Services Limited, at a total contract sum of N286,302,277.50, with a completion period of eight weeks.”
The Minister of Works and Housing, Fashola, on his part, disclosed that his ministry presented two memoranda, both of which were approved by the FEC.
He disclosed that FEC approved the appointment of consultants to supervise the ongoing construction of the Bodo-Bonny Highway in Rivers State, and the construction of the Idah-Nsukka Road, linking Kogi and Enugu states, putting the cost of both projects at N27.067 billion.
In his words, “On behalf of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I presented two memoranda to Council, the first was to appoint the consultant to undertake the supervision consultancy for the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road and bridge, which was previously awarded by Council. So, we now have a consultant helping to supervise what the contractor is doing.
“The supervision consultancy was awarded at the sum of N895,250,000 to a group called Pearl Consultants.
“The second memorandum was for the award of the contract for the rehabilitation of the Idah-Nsukka Road, an 84-kilometre road, linking Kogi and Enugu States, which Council approved for the sum of N26.172 billion, in favour of a joint venture of Messrs. Sajeto Construction and RN Construction,” he said.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Aregbesola, said approval was also made for the repeal of the Immigration and Prison Services Board Act as well as for the approval for the enactment of the CDCFIB.
While speaking about his ministry’s share of the contract, Aregbesola said “the Federal Executive Council seeking approval for a bill on how to repeal the Immigration and Prison Services Board Act, Cap 12, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“I equally sought the approval for the enactment of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire, Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Bill 2021 at today’s FEC. And the two prayers were approved.”
Summing up the resolution of yesterday’s Federal Executive Council, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, made it known that the earlier proposed establishment of a Health Sciences University in Oturkpo, Benue State, by the Federal Government was approved.
According to him, “I just like to announce that a draft bill for the establishment of a Federal University of Health Sciences was approved and is to be cited in Otukpo, Benue State.”…To draft a bill for Civil Defence, others