The federal executive council (FEC) has approved N15 billion
for the construction of an access road linking the Benin-Asaba expressway to
the second Niger Bridge.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, announced
the approval on Wednesday when speaking to State House correspondents after the
FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
Mohammed said the completion of the road would help achieve
the dream of inaugurating the bridge before Buhari leaves office on May 29.
“The minister of works presented a memo seeking approval for
the award of contract for the construction of an access road from the existing
Benin-Asaba expressway to approach the link road to the second Niger bridge in
Delta,” he said.
”As you are aware, the government is determined to
inaugurate the second Niger bridge before the expiration of this
administration.
”We can tell you that the bridge itself is substantially
concluded, but the contract that was awarded today, although the work has
started before now, is actually to connect the Asaba-Benin end to the new
bridge.
“The contract was awarded to Julius Berger at a sum of N15
billion. They have started the work but they said it is only proper that they
have a contract.
”We can assure you that the road will be finished in good
time for us to inaugurate the 2nd Niger bridge.”
The minister also said the council has approved N16 billion
as a variation for the dualisation of Suleja-Minna road in Niger state.
On his part, Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power, said the
council approved €3.7 million as a contract variation for the Transition
Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Aliyu said the amount was meant for the procurement of some
equipment and to complete the construction of two sub-stations that would help
boost the electricity supply in the country.
“Today, I presented a memo on behalf of the Transition
Company of Nigeria to the Council and it approved the variation,” he said.
”This was due to the escalation of prices for the supply of
equipment and the construction of 132 33KV substations at Nnewi and 132 KV line
bay extension at Onitsha, both in Anambra.
“The approved amount for the variation is 3.7 million euros
plus N1.137 billion inclusive of 7.5 percent value-added tax, with a completion
period of 18 months.”
Aliyu said the contracts started in 2006 but were abandoned
due to a lack of budgetary provisions.
Clem Agba, minister of state for budget and national
planning, who also spoke with
journalists, said the council approved six medium-term development plans for
Nigeria, which would run from 2021-2050.
Agba said the plans were designed to create a stable and
predictable macroeconomic environment.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com