The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FEC

  • FEC approves $100m loan facility for three states

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the signing of a $100 million loan agreement from the Indian Import- Export Bank for three states namely Cross Rivers, Enugu and Kaduna.

    The Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    According to him, the $100 million facility will be first taken by the federal government and lent to the three states.

    He said that $30 million is for Cross Rivers state towards its independent Power project while Enugu state government will get $40 million for the electrification of 96 communities, supply and commissioning of 33KVA and four 15KVA lines and the distribution of transformers and other accessories to the 96 communities in the three Senatorial zones of the state.

    Ngama said $30 million will be on lent to the Kaduna state government to augment the resources needed for the construction of 70 Kilometers transmission line from the Gurara Dam to Kaduna industrial area and the construction of 132/ 33KVA substation power supply to kaduna industrial area.

    50 communities in Kaduna state, he said, will also benefit from solar electricity project.

    He also said that the facility will attract concessionary rate of two per cent interest rate and will be repaid over a ten year period with three years moratorium, but with a commitment charge of 0.5 per cent of undrawn balance and 0.5 per cent for service charge.

     

     

  • FEC celebrates Jonathan at 56

    FEC celebrates Jonathan at 56

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday rejoiced with President Goodluck Jonathan as he clocked 56.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the brief ceremony, which took place before the commencement of the FEC weekly meeting, was presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

    NAN also reports that the ceremony was held in the absence of the President, who had left for London to preside over a three-day meeting of Honourary International Investors’ Council (HIIC).

    In a brief remarks, Sambo described Jonathan as “a gift to the nation’’ and hailed his leadership style and commitments to transforming Nigeria.

    “We are privileged Nigerians sharing from the grace of God upon his life.

    “There is no doubt that the great destiny of this man has helped our individual destiny.

    “What really can we give him in return but only to thank God for his life but to also commend him to the guidance, protection and the care of God.

    “We will continue to pray that Mr. President succeeds in this noble course of transforming our dear country,’’ Sambo said.

    Ministers of Transport and Agriculture, Sen. Idris Umar and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, respectively offered special prayers for the President on behalf of the council.

    The council, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, also presented a birthday card to the Vice-President for onward presentation to the President, before cutting a birthday cake.

    Jonathan, the 14th Nigerian leader, was born November 20, 1957 in Otueke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers.

    He holds a B.Sc degree in zoology, M.Sc in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology and a P.hd in Zoology.

     

  • FEC okays N290m for Third Mainland Bridge

    FEC okays N290m for Third Mainland Bridge

    The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, yesterday said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N290.7million for a comprehensive test on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting in Abuja, he said the Council took the decision based on a memo by the Federal Ministry of Works.

    Maku said the job done on the bridge last year was to address specific problems identified on the road, adding that the vote was to carry out a comprehensive test on the road to detect any possible need for repairs.

    He said: “The Minister of Works tabled a memorandum to seek approval for the comprehensive underwater inspection, assessment of pilings, river bed bathymetric survey, profiling and echometric test on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    “The bridge is a vital artery on the Federal Highways network connecting Lagos Mainland to the Island. Following reports of oscillation and excessive vibrations of the bridge under traffic load, investigations and tests were carried out by experts on the bridge in 2008 and the reports indicated that the bridge was structurally sound, but required the replacement of damaged expansion joints and bearings.

    “The ministry decided that Advanced Integrity Assessment including echometric (sonic pulse) tests on piles was inevitable to authenticate the findings of the Nigerian Submarine Divers Limited (NSD).

    “In order to save the bridge from extensive deteriorating condition, council approved the award of contract for the consultancy services for the comprehensive underwater inspection, assessment of pilings, river bed bathymetric survey, profiling and echometric test on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State in favour of Messrs ICECON (Nigeria) Limited in the sum of N290, 745, 000 only with a completion period of two months.”

  • FEC approves N8.68b for public primary schools, JSS books

    FEC approves N8.68b for public primary schools, JSS books

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N8.68 billion for the printing and distribution of textbooks as well as library materials for public primary schools’ classes one to six and junior secondary schools.

    The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, addressed State House correspondents in Abuja at the end of the FEC meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The weekly briefing was also attended by some ministers, including Labaran Maku (Information); Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai (Education) and Bala Mohammed of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Wike said the contract, to be completed in six weeks, would be funded from the utilisation of the 15 per cent and two per cent consolidated revenue fund provided as the intervention fund for the procurement of instruction materials to enhance the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in public schools.

    The fund was approved by council at its 26th meeting in 2008.

    He said: “To sustain the laudable project and to attain the 1:1 book ration for core subjects in all public primary schools across the 36 states and the FCT, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intends to procure additional primaries one to six textbooks in maths, English language, Basic Science and Technology and Social Studies as well as Junior Secondary School (JSS) library resource materials for distribution to 36 states and the FCT to address the shortfalls.”

  • ‘Why FEC was suspended’

    The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was suspended because some Muslim cabinet members have travelled to their home states for the Eid-el-Fitri.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Abati, some other council members are also taking part in the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

    He said it is part of the cabinet members’ constitutional rights to carry out their religious obligations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting, which holds on Wednesdays, is normally presided over by the President or the Vice- President.

     

  • FEC meeting cancelled

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting normally presided over by the President or Vice President could not hold at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
    No official reason was given for the cancellation of the meeting.
    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, who heads the Council Secretariat, had late Tuesday issued a circular to the various ministries on  the cancellation of  the  meeting.
    President Goodluck Jonathan was in Lagos on Wednesday  to condole with Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, while Vice President Namadi Sambo, who went to Saudi Arabia for Umra (lesser hajj), was due back to Nigeria Tuesday night.

  • Firm sues Minister over alleged planned revocation of N1.7b contract

    A firm, Chemtronics Limited has sued the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe and the ministry  over an alleged plan to revoke a N1.7billion contract awarded to it four years ago.

    The firm said the contract for the construction of a Skill Acquisition Centre in Iguelaba town,  Edo State was awarded to it on March 15, 2010 at N1, 799, 914, 251 following an approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    It said the Minister, allegedly acting on a report of purported slow pace of the contract’s execution, instructed the Acting Director, Housing and Urban Development in the ministry, Mr. Builder Jube Jemide to terminate the contract.

    In the suit filed before the Abuja High Court, the firm also faulted the ministry’s purported advertisement for fresh bids for the same contract.

    It  insisted that the purported slow pace of work in the contract’s execution was not sufficient ground to terminate or revoke a contract legally awarded with a binding agreement on the two parties.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer,  Max Ogar said the contract was awarded to his client on March 15, 2010 and that an agreement to that effect was signed on March 22, 2010.

    He said in line with Article 8 of the agreement, the ministry appointed Architect Julius Akpovoka of the firm of Efeakpo & Co. Consult as an architectural consultant to the project.

    Ogar added that in line with Article 6.1 of the contract agreement, the ministry also paid his client 15 per cent mobilisation fee for the contract, and that his client had since been on the contract site.

    The plaintiff stated, in a supporting affidavit, that it was on ground and firmly in control of the contract site where work was progressing.

    It added that to ensure smooth execution of the contract, it sought and secured a contract finance facility from Sterling Bank Plc to execute the contract.

    The plaintiff faulted the ministry’s decision to advertise for bidding and procurement of the contract already awarded to it, and even when the existing contract had not been terminated.

    It, therefore, prayed the court for among others. ”A declaration that the plaintiff remains the bonafide contractor in charge of the contract for the construction of a Skill Acquisition Centre (Lot 1) in Iguelaba, Edo State as awarded to it on March 15, 2010.

    “A declaration that the defendant’s advertisement of the contract covered in the plaintiff’s award letter as published in The Guardian newspaper of April 9, 2013 and another publication of July 29 are illegal, null and void.”

    Besides, the plaintiff is also seeking an order restraining the defendants, their agents, assigns and privies from taking and bid relating to the contract covered in the plaintiff’s award letter.”

    The plaintiff has also written to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim over the case and drawing his attention to the financial implication to the Federal Government in the event of its case succeeding and damages awarded against the ministry.

    The defendants, in a statement of defence and counter claim, filed by B. N. Udonsi of the ministry’s Department of Legal Services, said in line with Article 1 of the Contract Agreement, the duration of the contract was 12 months from the date of the execution of the agreement.

    They averred that the agreement was executed on March 22, 2010, adding that the plaintiff was expected to have completed the contract and handed over same of the Ministry on or before March 21, 2011.

    The defendants averred that the work done on site was still at the level of excavation/foundation and FPF level.

    They said there was the need to terminate the contract and allow another contractor to take over.

     

  • Boko Haram can’t go back on ceasefire agreement – Committee

    The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, on Wednesday assured that the Boko Haram sect would not go back on the ceasefire agreement reached with the Federal Government.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), he said that the ceasefire is to last forever even though the terms and conditions of the agreement are being worked out.

    He explained that the ceasefire does not mean automatic end of state of emergency in the three affected northern states as the military would have to observe and assess the situation to be sure that normalcy has returned.

    He said: “Of course it is not something that is done for a specific period of time. It is something that should be forever. As far as we are concerned it is something that has been agreed and I don’t think there would be any basis for anybody rescinding on the agreement.”

    “Response on series of painstaking discussions we have been having with the leadership of Boko Haram, and like most of you must have heard, the directive for cease fire that was given on tape, basically they took into account, one; the sincerity of the committee which by necessary implication also the sincerity of the President regarding resolving the issue of insecurity in the north.”

    “Number two also unlike their thinking that the committee was meant to serve as a trap for them, they also realized that not only is the committee very sincere, government and indeed Mr. President is also very sincere about the whole discussions.”

     

  • ‘FEC’s approval delaying proposed national carrier’

    ‘FEC’s approval delaying proposed national carrier’

    The Ministry of Aviation has attributed the delay in the take off of proposed national carrier, Nigerian One on Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    The FEC, said the Ministry, has not approved the carrier’s take-off, adding that as soon as it gets the nod, the airline will begin operation.

    The Media Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, said the ministry was working hard to scale the hurdle, adding that the government is seriously driving the process that would bring about the selection and appointment of core investors for the carrier.

    The selection of core investors, he said, would be transparent to ensure that credible players in the private sector with the technical and financial capacity are selected.

    He said after the selection and appointment of core investors, the government would take further steps to ensure that the equity allocation for the new carrier would give Nigerians the opportunity to secure investment, adding that government is serious about delivering a national carrier that would take advantage of the bilateral air services agreement between Nigeria and other parts of the world.

    Nigeria has over 63 bilateral air services agreement with many countries.

    Obi said though no foreign carrier has approached the government the new carrier, over the matter, the ministry is open to discussions with those interested.

    He said the desire to float a national carrier was borne out of the need to ensure equity in the allocation of the route network that is being exploited by foreign carriers.

    The proposed national carrier, he said, would fill the void created by the absence of a strong carrier that could compete with foreign carriers operating into the country, adding that the carrier is expected to foray into domestic, regional and intercontinental routes , such that the lopsided arrangement in the bilateral air services agreement Nigeria has with other countries could be corrected.

    Obi said: “The airline would have taken off, but we are a waiting the Federal Executive Council’s approval. Once we get his, then we are set to go.

    “We already have a template for the carrier, which include having a core investor, and putting the shares in the stock market for Nigerians to have their shares.

    “We are working hard to ensure we carry out due diligence on the core investors.

    “Once the appointment of the core investors is carried out, we would progress to consider getting technical partners, which were are encouraging.”

  • FEC scraps BPE, NAPEP, NEIC, 217 other agencies

    FEC scraps BPE, NAPEP, NEIC, 217 other agencies

    …Approves merger of EFCC, ICPC

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has agreed to scrap the Bureau of Public Enterprises and 219 other parastatals and agencies.

    Also, in spite of the controversy, the government has accepted the recommendation to merge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    But the government has accepted the recommendation to conduct a “proper investigation into the allegations made by the National Boundaries Commission against the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) over the funding of two non-existent boundary demarcations.

    The OSGOF will also be probed for alleged illegal extension of Nigeria’s maritime boundary from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles at the cost of US$12 million without consulting.

    These are the highlights of the outcome of a review of the White Paper on the report of the Presidential Committee on the Rationalization and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, which was headed by ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had spent the last three weeks to review the report and concluded the exercise on June 26.

    The Federal Government FG had in 2011 inaugurated the Oronsaye panel to restructure and rationalize Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies of the government as part of measures to reduce the rising budget profile.

    After the submission of the report, a White Paper Committee was set up to look at the recommendations of the Presidential Committee.

    The FEC, however, finally debated and ratified the recommendations of the White paper Committee.

    According to a document obtained by our correspondent, some of the agencies to be scrapped are the BPE; National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP); Fiscal Responsibility Commission(FRC); Public Complaints Commission(PCC); Nigerian Export Promotion Council; Public Complaints Commission (PCC); National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC); Federal Highways Department; Utilities Charges Commission; and National Economic Intelligence Committee among others.