The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Executive Council (FEC)

  • FEC approves $396m loans for northern IDPs, Sokoto health project

    FEC approves $396m loans for northern IDPs, Sokoto health project

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved two major external loan facilities totalling $396 million to support critical humanitarian and health projects in Nigeria’s northern region.

    FEC also approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on “Detty December”, a new federal initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading global destination for end-of-year tourism and entertainment festivals.

    Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed the approval for the loans while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He said the first facility is a $300 million World Bank credit to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities across several states in northern Nigeria.

    Read Also: Gov Buni presents N515.6bn budget for 2026 to Yobe assembly

    The second approval is for a combined $96 million credit from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB); $50 million and $46 million respectively, for the Sokoto Health Infrastructure Project, to which the Sokoto State Government will also contribute counterpart funding.

    “The $300 million World Bank credit is for internally displaced and host communities in various states in the North. The second approval is for the credit from the Islamic Development Bank and the African Development Bank for a total of $96 million to fund the Sokoto Health Infrastructure Project”, Edun explained.

    The Minister described the projects as critical to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at addressing regional disparities, improving access to healthcare, and rebuilding communities affected by conflict and displacement.

    Edun also briefed the Council on the state of the economy, noting that the latest data show a strong turnaround driven by reforms in the fiscal and monetary sectors.

    “As at the second quarter, the economy was well and truly turned around in terms of growth. Growth was accelerating — over 4.2 percent — while inflation was down to 18 percent,” he said.

    He attributed the recovery to the correction of market distortions, exchange rate stabilization, and improved investor confidence.

    According to him, critical consumer spending indicators show that Nigerians are spending less of their income on essentials such as food, health, and transport than before.

    “People are now spending about 50 percent of their income on basic needs compared to 90 percent before. There is more affordability, and the cost of living is inching downwards,” the minister noted.

    Edun further highlighted Nigeria’s recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a “major institutional achievement” that restores Nigeria’s standing in the global financial community and lowers the cost of cross-border transactions.

    He said this milestone, combined with the recent oversubscription of Nigeria’s $2.35 billion Eurobond offer, which attracted $13 billion in bids, reflects global confidence in the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms.

    “Despite recent political headwinds, investors focused on the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy. We were prudent in our borrowing, not exceeding what was approved or budgeted. The oversubscription shows a resounding vote of confidence in Nigeria”, Edun said.

    The Minister also cited Nigeria’s digital identity milestone as a tool for efficient social investment delivery, revealing that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has now issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) to 125 million Nigerians.

    “This gives the President and government the flexibility to directly reach and support citizens when needed, using verified biometric and digital systems,” Edun explained.

    He reaffirmed that the government’s reform programme is positioning Nigeria as “a stable and attractive investment destination,” noting growing international interest in multiple sectors, including aviation and infrastructure.

    “The world is interested in good investments, and Nigeria is now proving to be a stable and attractive climate for such investors,” the minister stated.

    Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has announced that Council has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on “Detty December”

    Musawa said the Task Force will coordinate federal ministries, departments, and agencies to support Lagos State and other participating states in delivering world-class festival experiences during the “Detty December” period — the popular month-long season of music, arts, and cultural celebrations.

    She added that the initiative would serve as a catalyst for the creative and tourism industries, attracting private sector investment and branding Nigeria as a global cultural hub.

    Musawa further revealed that the Council approved the establishment of Tourism and Cultural Economic Zones across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

    These zones, she said, will leverage regional strengths to promote unique cultural and tourism assets.

    “Every state, working together with the federal government, will project its cultural and tourism strengths. These zones will be modeled after global success stories like Cancun in Mexico and Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia,” she stated.

    The Minister also announced the adoption of national tourism brands such as Naija Season, a year-round celebration of Nigerian festivals developed by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), as official federal initiatives for tourism promotion.

    Another major approval, she disclosed, was the establishment of the Presidential Council on Tourism Promotion and Investment, chaired by President Tinubu, with the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Tourism serving as vice chair.

    The Council, which reactivates an earlier framework from 2023, will coordinate inter-ministerial efforts to attract investment and enhance Nigeria’s global image as a stable, peaceful, and united nation.

    “This Council will build Nigeria’s positive global image, showing our unity and stability to the world. A secretariat will be established in our ministry to drive this agenda”, Musawa said.

    The minister also highlighted the FEC’s endorsement of the Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and Legal Framework, developed jointly by the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Justice; and Arts, Culture, and Tourism.

    The policy, she said, will enable creatives to use their intellectual property as collateral for financing and unlock private-sector funding for the creative industry.

    “This is a game-changer. It will allow our creatives to monetize their ideas, protect their works, and access credit based on their intellectual property. Bigger and better days are ahead for Nigeria’s creative economy”, Musawa said.

  • FEC approves N213.7bn for electrification of universities, rural communities

    FEC approves N213.7bn for electrification of universities, rural communities

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved two major electrification projects worth a combined ₦213.7 billion to improve energy access in universities, teaching hospitals, and rural communities across Nigeria.

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, announced the approvals while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the 7th FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Adelabu said the first project, valued at ₦145 billion, inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT, is for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of power systems under the Energising Education Programme (EEP), implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

    It will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and is expected to be delivered within seven to nine months.

    The EEP is targeted at easing the energy burden on Nigeria’s public universities and tertiary teaching hospitals by providing reliable, renewable power supply.

    The Minister noted that many institutions have faced severe electricity challenges, leading to blackouts and industrial actions, as they struggle to meet exorbitant utility bills from distribution companies.

    “The absence of reliable power in most institutions has grown into a crisis. This initiative will bring relief to educational and medical institutions and improve the quality of education and healthcare delivery,” Adelabu said.

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    He listed the eight benefitting institutions from this phase of the programme: University of Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan; University College Hospital, Ibadan; Federal University, Dutse in Jigawa State; and Federal University, Wukari in Taraba State.

    The Minister added that the new projects build on earlier interventions executed with World Bank support, which have already delivered solar power installations to several universities, including the University of Abuja (3 megawatts), University of Maiduguri (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW), and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (5MW).

    “These institutions are now operating without disruption to electricity supply. The new funding is intended to accelerate deployment to more campuses”, he said.

    The second project, valued at ₦68.7 billion including VAT, is for the procurement and deployment of renewable energy infrastructure under the REA’s Agricultural Centres of Excellence initiative.

    The programme aims to bring solar-powered electricity to rural communities and agribusiness clusters where grid access is unavailable. It is expected to be completed within three months.

    According to Adelabu, the rural electrification project is designed not only to provide lighting for homes but also to power agro-processing activities and other productive uses to boost rural livelihoods.

    “This project is meant to empower our rural dwellers by enabling them to engage in productive activities using solar-powered equipment. It’s a key part of our resolve to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the transformation of the power sector.

    “The total cost approved for this project was N68.7 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT, with three months completion or delivery periods. For the Nigerian education, the total project amounts approved was N145 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT”, the minister said.

    He emphasized that the deployment of off-grid renewable energy solutions aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda to promote inclusive growth and economic diversification through sustainable infrastructure development.

    “The approvals granted today demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to transformative investments in power infrastructure that directly impact lives, learning, healthcare, and productivity,” Adelabu stated.

  • FEC holds special tribute session for Buhari Thursday

    FEC holds special tribute session for Buhari Thursday

    A special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will hold on Thursday, July 17 in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced this on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @aonanuga1956.

    According to the announcement, the tribute session is scheduled to begin by 1:00 pm with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to lead members of his cabinet in paying homage to his immediate predecessor.

    Read Also: Court grants final forfeiture of N335m, hospital, five filling stations, others to Fed Govt

    “A special session of the Federal Executive Council in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari will be held on Thursday 17 July from 1pm. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the session of tributes for the departed leader,” Onanuga wrote.

    The session will be dedicated to celebrating the life, legacy, and contributions of the deceased, who served as a military leader and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.

    The tribute session is part of ongoing national mourning activities and follows a series of events, including the state reception of Buhari’s remains in Katsina, the final burial rites in Daura, and condolence visits by dignitaries from across Nigeria and the African continent.

  • FEC approves N1.04t for Works, FCT projects

    FEC approves N1.04t for Works, FCT projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved  N1.04 trillion for critical infrastructure  projects nationwide, including major roads and bridges across  states and key developments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The approvals, granted during the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, cover 10 major projects under the Federal Ministry of Works and five significant  others in the FCT.

    For the Federal Ministry of Works, Council allocated N885 billion for the building and rehabilitation of key highways and bridges across the country.

    Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals, highlighting the government’s commitment to durable road infrastructure, particularly through concrete construction.

    One of the largest projects approved is the rebuilding  of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin Road, a crucial trade corridor.

    The project will be executed in concrete, with Section I (Obajana to Benin) costing N64 billion, Section II (Auchi to Edo) at N110 billion, and Section III (Benin Airport to Edo) at N131 billion.

    The total cost for this projects stands at over N305 billion.

    Another major project is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will span 130 kilometers of dual carriageway from Calabar through Akwa Ibom.

    The highway, valued at N1.334 trillion, has been divided into multiple sections for phased construction, with ongoing work already progressing in Lagos and Ogun states.

    Read Also: Nigeria earned $305bn from oil, gas sector in 10 years

    The minister also said the Abuja-Kano Highway has been restructured, with N252 billion allocated to its development.

    Section 1 extends from the FCT boundary to Niger State with an additional 5.71 kilometers, while Section 3 in Kano State has an expanded scope of 17 kilometers.

    The 118-kilometer road will be built using concrete and will feature solar lighting installations.

    FEC also approved the reconstruction of access roads to the Second Niger Bridge in Delta and Anambra states.

    The Delta section will be constructed in concrete for N470.9 billion, while the Anambra section will cost N148 billion.

    Other key approvals include N22 billion for the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, N18 billion for the Musasa-Jos-Kaduna Road, and N12.75 billion for the rehabilitation of the Abia-Enugu road.

    In Lagos, N3.571 billion has been approved for a comprehensive structural evaluation of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge.

    The assessment will focus on examining underwater piles and determining solutions to prevent  deterioration.

    Another crucial approval is the continuation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase II, Section I), with a budget of N195 billion.

    Umahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cost-effective infrastructure, emphasising that transitioning major roads to concrete construction will ensure greater durability and long-term savings.

    “By adopting concrete for key sections, we have saved significant costs compared to previous projections,” he said.

    He also addressed concerns over delays and road quality, particularly on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, saying that contractors have been directed to fix faulty sections.

    “We are not accepting excuses such as high temperatures for road failures. The affected sections are being redone with proper oversight,” he added.

     Council has also approved N159.5 billion for five major infrastructure projects aimed at improving road networks, transportation, and estate access across the FCT.

    Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, broke the news after the FEC meeting. She emphasised  the government’s commitment to enhancing mobility and socio-economic activities in the capital city.

    Among the key projects approved is the construction of a bus terminal at Mabushi, located in Cadastral Zone Plot B06, Phase II of the Federal Capital City.

    The N30.97 billion contract was awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

    The government has also allocated N62.5 billion for the construction of Arterial Road N1, which will connect Wuye District to Ring Road II.

    The project, awarded to Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, is expected to be completed within 20 months.

    Another major approval is the construction of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway, a key route connecting satellite towns.

    The contract, valued at N7.5 billion, was awarded to Gilmo Engineering Nigeria Limited.

    The Council also approved N26.87 billion for the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road, a 15-kilometer stretch linking Kado Village to Dei-Dei and connecting to the Outer Northern Expressway Junction.

    The contract was awarded to Lubric Construction Company Limited and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

    Additionally, FEC approved N31.66 billion for the building of an access road to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Project in Karsana West District, Abuja.

    Lubric Construction Company Limited will handle the project, which is also scheduled for completion within 18 months.

    Bunkure emphasized that these projects will significantly improve connectivity and ease transportation within the FCT, benefiting both residential and commercial areas.

    “The projects will enhance mobility, boost socio-economic activities, and provide improved access to residential and commercial developments within the FCT,” she said.

    She added that the contracts would be closely monitored to ensure timely completion and adherence to quality standards.

  • FEC approves ₦1.04tn for Works, FCT projects

    FEC approves ₦1.04tn for Works, FCT projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦1.04 trillion for critical infrastructure projects nationwide, including major road and bridge works across multiple states and key developments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The approvals, granted during the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, cover 10 major projects under the Federal Ministry of Works and five significant projects in the FCT.

    For the Federal Ministry of Works, Council allocated ₦885 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of key highways and bridges across the country.

    Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals, highlighting the government’s commitment to durable road infrastructure, particularly through concrete construction.

    One of the largest projects approved is the reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin Road, a crucial trade corridor.

    The project will be executed in concrete with Section I (Obajana to Benin) costing ₦64 billion, Section II (Auchi to Edo) at ₦110 billion, and Section III (Benin Airport to Edo) at ₦131 billion.

    The total cost for this project stands at over ₦305 billion.

    Another major project is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will span 130 kilometers of dual carriageway from Calabar through Akwa Ibom.

    The highway, valued at ₦1.334 trillion, has been divided into multiple sections for phased construction, with ongoing work already progressing in Lagos and Ogun states.

    The Minister also said the Abuja-Kano Highway has been restructured, with ₦252 billion allocated to its development.

    Section 1 extends from the FCT boundary to Niger State with an additional 5.71 kilometers, while Section 3 in Kano State has an expanded scope of 17 kilometers.

    The 118-kilometer road will be built using concrete and will feature solar lighting installations.

    FEC also approved the reconstruction of access roads to the Second Niger Bridge in Delta and Anambra states.

    The Delta section will be constructed in concrete for ₦470.9 billion, while the Anambra section will cost ₦148 billion.

    Other key approvals include ₦22 billion for the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, ₦18 billion for the Musasa-Jos-Kaduna Road, and ₦12.75 billion for the rehabilitation of the Abia-Enugu road.

    In Lagos, ₦3.571 billion has been approved for a comprehensive structural evaluation of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge.

    The assessment will focus on examining underwater piles and determining solutions to prevent further deterioration.

    Another crucial approval is the continuation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase II, Section I), with a budget of ₦195 billion.

    Umahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cost-effective infrastructure, emphasizing that transitioning major roads to concrete construction will ensure greater durability and long-term savings.

    “By adopting concrete for key sections, we have saved significant costs compared to previous projections,” he said.

    He also addressed concerns over delays and road quality, particularly on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, assuring that contractors have been directed to fix faulty sections.

    Read Also: EFCC secures interim forfeiture of $222,729.86 in digital assets tied to Chinese, Filipino alleged fraudsters

    “We are not accepting excuses such as high temperatures for road failures. The affected sections are being redone with proper oversight,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Council has also approved ₦159.5 billion for five major infrastructure projects aimed at improving road networks, transportation, and estate access across the FCT.

    Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, disclosed this after the FEC meeting, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing mobility and socio-economic activities in the capital city.

    Among the key projects approved is the construction of a bus terminal at Mabushi, located in Cadastral Zone Plot B06, Phase II of the Federal Capital City.

    The ₦30.97 billion contract was awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

    The government has also allocated ₦62.5 billion for the construction of Arterial Road N1, which will connect Wuye District to Ring Road II.

    The project, awarded to Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, is expected to be completed within 20 months.

    Another major approval is the construction of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway, a key route connecting satellite towns.

    The contract, valued at ₦7.5 billion, was awarded to Gilmo Engineering Nigeria Limited.

    The Council also approved ₦26.87 billion for the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road, a 15-kilometer stretch linking Kado Village to Dei-Dei and connecting to the Outer Northern Expressway Junction.

    The contract was awarded to Lubric Construction Company Limited and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

    Additionally, FEC approved ₦31.66 billion for the construction of an access road to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Project in Karsana West District, Abuja.

    Lubric Construction Company Limited will handle the project, which is also scheduled for completion within 18 months.

    Bunkure emphasized that these projects will significantly improve connectivity and ease transportation within the FCT, benefiting both residential and commercial areas.

    “The projects will enhance mobility, boost socio-economic activities, and provide improved access to residential and commercial developments within the FCT,” she said.

    She assured that the contracts would be closely monitored to ensure timely completion and adherence to quality standards.

  • Another chance

    Its honour, its glory is long gone. The labour of its heroes past has given way to weeds – stubborn grass and all sorts that would have had no space when the machines were still at full blast churning out tyres. A portion of the empire has now transformed into a bank, resplendent in white facade. Dunlop, our Dunlop, why art thou forsaken us?

    I remember Dunlop again two days ago when President Muhammadu Buhari swore-in 43 men and women as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Some of these men and women are not new in the FEC. Even those who are new to the cabinet are not new to government. Most importantly, it is not lost on them that Nigerians will look up to them for things to change, I mean for things to truly change!

    Dunlop, for me, has become a metaphor of all that is wrong with our country. If a giant can fall, dwarfs stand no chance.

    One area many are looking for change is in the manufacturing sector, where Dunlop used to be a king before closing shops when running cost among others clogged its bloodstream. I am yet to see any country that is great without a strong manufacturing sector. I am also yet to see a country with a strong currency without a thriving manufacturing sector. I am still searching for a great nation which celebrates epileptic power supply and glorifies mediocrity.

    Our manufacturing sector is dead and waiting to be buried. If you are in doubt, take a trip to the once-thriving textile industries in Kano and other parts of the North. If you reside in the Southwest, Lagos offers you a glimpse of the evil that has befallen the textile and other industries. With our fashion sense and love for parties, this is one industry that should be contributing greatly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). No sight better captures our sad reality than the now-abandoned premises of Dunlop on Oba Akran Road, Ikeja. The textile factories in Aswani, Kano and other parts of the North are now relics. Many factories have become churches.

    I cry each time I have cause to pass through a once-bubbling industry that has now become a church auditorium. Sadly, we have many of them all over Lagos. I am also yet to see any great nation that prides itself as an exporter of cocoa, timber and rubber. The export of these items cannot yield us much because we export them raw — no value-added. What makes chocolate the toast of all is the value that has been added. Raw cocoa smells, and only by adding value to it can it appeal to the mass of the people. Rubber only makes sense when it has been turned to plastic and other products. The furniture we import from abroad is made with the wood from Isehin, Isaga-Orile and other remote places in Nigeria. We simply ship our almighty oil abroad. What is wrong with refining and supplying other nations?

    Our health sector makes me cry. Our primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions were world-class. The University College Hospital (UCH) was first among equals globally. Its facilities were top-notch and its members of staff could raise their heads high anywhere in the world. No thanks to brain drain, UCH and others are now shadows of their old selves. The brain drain that hit the health sector in the ‘80s started the declining standard in our teaching hospitals. We are yet to come out of the brain drain. As you read this, many doctors are on their way to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia because of the poor state of medical practice in the country. Even those who are not leaving are not committed. Many a doctor in government-owned hospitals runs private clinics and dedicates attention to their private practice than their primary employer. I find it difficult to blame doctors for seeking better lives abroad. The government is responsible for infrastructure decay, poor power supply and lack of equipment, which have made working at home a bad idea.

    The poor state of the economy has made unemployment our close friend. We have paid lip service to diversifying the economy. Our almighty oil contributes about 85 per cent of our oil revenue, but its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, which is less than 10 per cent, is abysmally low. Other sectors must contribute to the GDP if we intend going anywhere. If there is anything that has also contributed to more to our problem, it is corruption.

    The Buhari administration has made the fight against this monster a major issue. But, we need to go beyond that. There is a need to strengthen the anti-graft agencies for effective prosecution. As noted by this paper two days ago: “Most prosecutors carry a workload that, because of its excessive size or complexity, interferes with quality prosecution and attention to detail. It is not unusual to see prosecuting counsel shuttling from one court to another. In some instances, cases have been adjourned or stalled due to the absence of a prosecutor.”

    One grey area, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must address, is the state of our foreign missions. A report in this paper on Wednesday notes: “Many of the 110 Nigerian missions and embassies abroad are still a national embarrassment despite promises of reforms and rationalisation. They are still groaning under financial difficulties. “Some of them have reportedly not paid salaries for months and owe huge debts. As part of its cost-saving measures, the Federal Government ordered the closure of three of Nigeria’s foreign missions and down-sized one. The closed missions were in Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Serbia. The one in Ukraine was downsized. Nigerian embassies and consulates do not render their duties to Nigerians abroad. To procure a common passport when one is in dire need is a problem.”

    It will be a great disservice if I leave out electricity as part of the major problems that must be addressed in this dispensation. For me, it is the main problem. Addressing it will resolve so many of our challenges. Democracy’s attempt to fix the electricity challenge has been a major flop. Since licences were given to Ikeja Electric, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and nine others, they have shown that they lack what is needed to make a success of the sector. It has been garbage in, garbage out. Consumers regularly express their displeasure through blockades of electricity distribution companies’ offices over poor service delivery occasioned by erratic billing and epileptic power supply. Consumers, consumer advocacy groups, regulators and legislators have shouted themselves hoarse. The courts are having hectic schedules with cases filed by short-changed consumers. For me, the investors rushed into the deal thinking it would be all rosy like the situation when GSM licences were issued.

    Many parts of the country are in darkness. Not a few have called for the withdrawal of licences of DisCos. This is one area we should be running. Instead, we are yet to start crawling, not to talk of walking and far away from running. I sense that selfish interests have been sold as national interests. The good of one is sold as the good of all.

    My final take: I see the constitution of the cabinet as another opportunity for us to get things right. I am more than convinced that Nigeria cannot remain like this. Our pace is too slow. Slow and steady do not always win the race. We must run now because we are lagging in every area of human endeavour. Let us do a marathon and even if this means many slow runners falling by the wayside, so be it. Things must change. The implication of things remaining the way they are is grave. Certainly.

  • Final FEC meeting holds on Monday

    The last meeting for the current Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been slated for Monday 20th, May 2019, it was learnt.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to dissolve the cabinet ahead of the 29th May 2019 swearing in ceremony.

    Buhari’s first term also ends on the same day.

    Already, 22nd May 2019 has been scheduled for valedictory session for the cabinet.

    This was disclosed at the end of the Thursday extra-ordinary FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the absence of the President, who is in Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj.

    Briefing State House Correspondent at the end of the meeting which went into the night, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, accompanied by his counterparts in Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Bello, said the council approved N1.8 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of buildings of railway village in Agbor, Delta.

    He also revealed that the sum of N743 million was approved for the procurement of security and safety deficiencies as well as incidence laboratory for Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    He said the total sum for the procurement included taxes with a completion period of 12 months.

    Sirika also said council approved the contract for the procurement of pavement marking machines was also approved by the council at the cost of N391.8 million.

    “This is a visual aid for pilots for safe operations around our airports,” he said.

    Another approval granted by the council according to the minister, is the sum of €1.1 million, for the purchase of a total radar coverage track on system reconditioning.

    He said: “This contract went to the manufacturer of the equipment for 1, 187, 960, 000 Euros, equivalent to N414, 543, 760.23 excluding taxes and it’s for seven months completion.”

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the council approved six contracts worth N2.6 billion for the FCT.

    “The FCT got approval for the award of contract for the construction and equipping of materials testing laboratory in Abuja and that contract is in the sum of N616, 278, 844.19 with a completion period of five months.

    “That laboratory already is under construction, so basically it is just to equip the laboratory and is going to test all the items that go into the construction of roads and buildings,” he said.

    Bello further said cabinet approved another contract for a temporary access road in the central area of the territory.

    “The second contract was for the provision of an access road to link very key anterior roads in the Central Business District that is Ahmadu Bello Way and Sani Abacha Way, all in the FCT, in the sum of N670, 347, 909 with a completion period of six months.

    “The third memo was for the award of contract for the design of engineering and solid waste treatment plant and transfer stations in the FCT, a consultancy project awarded in the sum of N473, 798, 934, to be completed in 12 months.

    READ ALSO: Buhari presides over longest council meeting

    “These transfer stations are meant to serve the waste management value chain so that before you get to the final dump site, solid waste is separated according to the various grades and that makes it easier for recycling.

    ”As you know now we have what is called waste to wealth and that will create a very important economic system for people who will invest in it,” he said.

    He said another contract awarded for the FCT was that of engineering design of expandable main sewage treatment plant at Kango and Associated Trunk lines at the cost of N511, 528, 689.

    The  FCT also got approval for the final design of engineering infrastructure and production of tender documents at the cost of N202, 410, 378.45.

    He stated that another N143.7million was approved for the final engineering design of infrastructure and production of another tender document for Sector Centres E and F in phase 111 of FCC, Abuja.

    Mohammed disclosed that N1,081,345,163.45 was approved by the council for the construction of School of Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

    He said council also approved consultancy for a capacity development programme for teachers that would handle special needs and disability education.

    “The contract was given to a consultant at the cost of N338,281,250 with a completion period of four weeks.

    “This will actually entail training 18 teachers from each state of the federation to handle students with special needs and disability,” he said.

  • President chides elite on youth education

    The elite got a wake-up call from President Muhammadu Buhari. They should change attitude towards the education of youths.

    Frowning at the inability of the elite to address the welfare and educational needs of the less-privileged, the President urged the elite to do everything to ensure basic education for every Nigerian child.

    The President spoke on Monday night at the State House, where he explained that the various schemes in the Social Implementation Programme (SIP) were geared at lifting the living standard of Nigerians.

    “When I drive around the country, what upsets me most is the status of our poor people in this country. You see young people, Almajiris with tore dresses and plastic bowl. They are looking basically for what to eat.

    “The question of education (to them) is a luxury. I think Nigerian elite, we are all failing because I think we should have a programme that will at least guarantee some basic education for our people no matter how poor they are.

    “So, I welcome the Vice President initiative of the School Feeding Programme. If you check in your localities, the enrolment into schools improved because a lot of children can get at least, one good meal a day. This is the position of this country.

    “But, culturally some of us are quietly merciless; we don’t care about what happen to others; we just keep on moving forward.”

    He also urged his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to cautious on the implementation of the TraderMoni scheme, which is administered by the Vice President‘s Office.

    The President said he would not want any harm to happen to Osinbajo while given out TraderMoni loans to traders.

    Only last week, the vice president unveiled the second phase of TraderMoni and MarketMoni in Awka and Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Beneficiaries of the schemes get loans funds ranging from N10, 000 for TraderMoni and N50, 000 for the MarketMoni, from the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    Spoke while hosting Osinbajo, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), security chiefs and others to a breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa, Buhari urged the vice president to be careful with the way he moves from one market to the other.

    He said: “This MarketMoni, I warned the vice president I don’t want him to be mobbed, especially the way I see hefty women coming and confronting him, he should be very careful.

    “These are very good initiatives. Initially, I was quite reluctant but I must admit that they are very good programmes and they endear this government to a lot of poor people because of these N5, 000 or N10, 000 being given to them as loans.

    Read Also: President chides elite on youth education

    “They are fantastic programmes and I have to admit quite honestly that the vice president was ahead of me by insisting on them.

    “But he knows me if he insists I will say `okay go and do what you like.’ He did it and I’m very pleased as he is being very successful,” he said.

    Speaking for the cabinet members, Osinbajo thanked the president for inviting them, both Muslims and Christians, to the breaking of fast with him.

    “Mr President, I must say that there are some reasons I had always look forward to the Ramadan session. But some of those reasons are now being seriously challenged.

    “The first of those reasons is that during the Ramadan, meetings are usually very short. But, unfortunately last Wednesday, Mr President seemed to have destroyed that very good notion by taking us through the longest FEC meeting in the history of the FEC.

    “So, we shouldn’t expect anymore that meeting will necessary be short during the Ramadan.

    “The second is that some of my friends are far less troublesome during the Ramadan. People like Lai Mohammed, Abba Kyari, Adamu Adamu, they are usually very ‘well-behaved’ during the Ramadan. But I’m not even sure that that is true anymore.

    “So, it is an opportunity for us to remind ourselves over the core mandates which is the welfare and security of majority of our people,” he said.

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the deadline given to cabinet members for submission of handover notes expires.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 17 asked for a comprehensive “status reports on policies, programmes and projects” from cabinet members on their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

    Buhari, who is on a visit to Borno, will depart for the UK later in the day.

    Read Also: Osinbajo urges journalists to expose corruption

    The deadline for submission of the reports to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President was April 24.

    The 9th and 10th FEC meetings were rescheduled for April 25 and May 2 respectively in view of the Easter break and May Day celebrations.

    More so, ministers were directed to “ensure that all outstanding memoranda they intend to present to FEC are submitted to the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not later than April 30.’’

    No fewer than 21 ministers alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, are in attendance

    NAN

     

  • Breaking: FG approves $20m foreign loan for Lagos strategic transportation plan

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the loan of $20 million for Lagos state strategic transportation plan.

    The sum is part of the total $247 million loan approval granted at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The other $227 million loan is for rural electrification and West Africa Power projects.

    The minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who announced the loan approval, said the Lagos transportation project when completed will benefit 1.8 million people in the state.

    Lagos state she said has the capacity to repay the loan.

    She briefed State House Correspondents alongside with Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, FCT Minister, Bello Mohammed and Senior Special Assistant to the President,  Garba Shehu.

    She explained that the country’s borrowing is still within limit.

    She said: “The third loan approval is $20 million, for the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan, this facility is from the French Development Agency.

    “The objective of the project is to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of Lagos urban area and to promote urban development sitting by efficient and effective transport system.

    “The project has two major components, first is to rehabilitate urban roads and the creation of minimum of eight equality bus corridors and the creation of two multi-model inter-changes at Marina and Mile 2. The second objective is to provide technical support for implementation and management.

    Read Also: Lagos set for new bus experience

    “When completed, the project is expected to impact 1.8 million inhabitants of Lagos State and accumulative 1.5 million users per day for inter-model inter-changes without about 620,000 boarding at Mile 2 and 480,000 boarding at Marina. Another estimated 630,000 boarding at QBS.

    “The project is being undertaken by Lagos State agency, LAMATA under its own strategy.

    “So the federal government is borrowing to unlearn to Lagos following the same terms and conditions that we signed.

    “Our assessment is that Lagos state has the capacity to repay the loan.”

    The Council also approved $150 million loan facility from African development bank and $50 million loan from African Grow Together Fund to finance the Nigeria electrification project.

    The project, the Minister said “is a nationwide initiative to be implemented by the rural electrification agency. The project aligns with the strategy of federal government on electrifying rural community. ”

    The project, She revealed has four components, first is solar hybrid mini-grid for rural economic development, the second is productive appliances equipment for off-grid communities and the third is energising education while the fourth component is institutional capacity building.

    “The impact of the project when fully implemented, about 500,000 people will be able to have access to electricity for about 105,000 households.

    “The maximum power that will be generated will be 76.5 megawatts installed generating capacity part of which is 68,000 megawatts of solar.

    “Eight universities will benefit from this scheme and about 20,000 small, micro, medium enterprises across different communities in the nation,” she added.

    The other foreign loan approval of 27.3million is for the West Africa regional power project.

    The post project aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line, to facilitate energy trade amongst participants.

    She said: “The second approval the North Core Dorsal regional transmission project. This is a project that is part of the pipeline for the pipeline for the West Africa power pull priority projects. The intention is for the creation of regional power pull in the region of west Africa. The post project aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line, to facilitate energy trade amongst participants.

    “The project is in the total sum of $640 million out of which each of the four countries involved has a component. Nigeria has the smallest component in this pact which is a total loan of $27.3 million IADE  facility, it is a concessionary loan. This is a loan that the four countries are taking together, the other three countries have concluded theirs, so this is one of the final stages for Nigeria to conclude its process.”

    FEC also approved contract in the sum of N3.86 billion for projects in FCT.

    Briefing newsmen on the approval, FCT Minister, Hello Mohammed said: “The first is the approval for the rehabilitation of 12.6 kilometer of road from the junction Gwagwalada in the abuja Lokoja A1 express way. It will pass through Gwagwalada specialist hospital upto Bello village at the cost of N1.3 billion, with a completion period of eight months.

    “Council also approved the award of contract for the provision of cultural zone at the cost of N1.3 billion with a completion period of nine months.

    “Council also approved the award of contract for the reconstruction of access road leading the lower usuma dam, which provides portable water to the residents of abuja and environs. This is line with this administration’s stance of twin contract development of the city and satellite towns to make it easier for residence to stay in either satellite towns or city. The contract sum is N1.26 billion with a completion period of six months .”

    Also, the two memos presented by the Ministry of Transportation, got the approval of council, Amaechi said .

    The sum of $8.7 million was approved for the rail projects spanning Ibadan-Kano-Oshogbo-Minna-Abuja.

    With the approval yesterday, the project will now include Oshogbo-Ekiti.

    He said “There was an approval for $8.7 billion for Ibadan to Kano to Oshogbo, to Minna to Abuja. Minna to Kaduna, Kaduna to Kano. What we sought for was the variation because the financing authority wanted to find just $5.7 billion. We needed approval to negotiate the remender as a commercial loan.

    “Again the President also approved that we add Oshogbo to Ekiti as part of the construction. It was not there earlier. That will cost us a total of $500 million.

    “The next one was approval for N474.4 million for the purchase of 22 number operational vehicles for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. There will be two Hiace vehicle and 21 others

    In the cost of each of the vehicles, he said the unit price for each of the buses is N27.5 million and they are two. And don’t forget that there is nothing we do that does not go through due process. So they would have checked the actual prices in the market. And the other ones are N28.5 million multiple by 21 vehicles.

    “Also, FEC approved the bill for the establishment of a Nigeria Army University in Biu, Borno state. You will recall the council in April 2018 approved the establishment of the university. The bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislation.”