The Federal Government has approved N95.8 billion for the dualisation of Akure/Ita Ogbolu – Iju/Ado-Ekiti road, linking Ekiti and Ondo states.

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, stated this at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday.

El-Yakub said the first section of the road project on the Ondo side was awarded to two construction companies at the cost of N46.6 billion.

He said the remaining balance of N49.2 billion would be expended on the second section of the project from Ekitin State border.

“The Ministry of Works and Housing presented a memo for the consideration and approval of Council.

“This is for the award of contract for the dualization of the Akure/Ita Ogbolu –Iju/Ado Ekiti state border, on the Ondo State side.

“In favour of Messrs Samchez Nigeria Limited and Messrs Horizon Construction Company Limited, in the sum of N46,684,481,745.44, with a completion period of 24 months.

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“Section two of that road was awarded to Messrs Kopek Construction Limited at the cost of N49,295,088,593.98, with a completion period of 30 months.

“So, one is doing it from the Ekiti State border and the other one is on the Ondo State side. That’s the two sections of the contract was awarded,” the minister stated.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also said the council approved N2.24 billion for the construction of a 150-room capacity female hostel at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Mohammed said: “On behalf of the Minister of Aviation, who presented a memo to Council today, seeking Council’s consideration and approval for the award of contract for the construction of a 150-room capacity female hostel, at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

“The contract was in favour of Messrs Best Homes Construction Limited in the sum of N2,244,713,424.56, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a completion period of 12 months.”

The minister also revealed that the council approved N383.9 million for the procurement of 13 operational vehicles for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

According to him, the operational vehicles will be used for the day-to-day operations of the FRCN.

The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, further disclosed that the council considered and approved two memoranda in respect of matters pertaining to the efficient performance of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“The first memo was the renewal of the management contract for the management of Tugs, Pilot Cutters or Mooring Launches within the limits of Apapa, and Tin Can Island Ports complex.

“This management contract was signed between Nigerian Ports Authority and Messrs LTT Coastal and Marine Services Limited, initially in April 2007, for a period of 15 years, which therefore meant the agreement had expired March last year.

“So the purpose of the memorandum is to seek Council’s approval to renew the management contract, as provided in the management agreement and endorsed by the Bureau of Public Procurement, in favour of Messrs LTT Coastal and Marine Services Limited, for the sum of $29,871,615.22.

“This is an equivalent of N12,440,332,875.44, inclusive of 7.5% VAT, at an exchange rate of one US dollar to N416.46

“The second memorandum that was considered by Council and approved is in respect of a contract for the design, construction and supply of two 80 tons marine tugboats in order to support the operations of the newly commissioned Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos,” Sambo said.

The Star