The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday voted N24 billon for the completion of work on the Enugu- Onitsha Expressway.
The road is part of the multi-billion Naira contracts approved by the council.
The Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen; Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; and the Minister of Transport, Umar Idris, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.
The meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan approved the rehabilitation of the outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea-Enugu in Enugu State in the sum of N24.243bn; rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birni Yauri Road: Jega-Birni Yauri (186km) in Kebbi State in the sum of N19.8bn; rehabilitation of Sokoto-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road: Kontagora-Makera (85km) in Niger State in the sum N10.6bn; and the rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch (completion of outstanding 12.5km) in Benue/Cross River States in sum of N3.3bn.
The minister said the council also approved the award of contract for the construction of Berth 21 at Terminal ‘E’ Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos, in the sum $59.69million including all taxes at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.
He added that approval was also given for the construction of the Inland River Port at Makurdi, Benue State.
He said, “The project will link the hinterland in the northern central states of the country to the coastal ports and among other things ease the process of evacuation of agricultural products, petroleum products, bulk cargoes and distribution of essential imports.
“The project is also to generate employment, expand riverine activities and greatly improve socio-economic development of Benue State and its environs.
“There is a budgetary provision of the sum of N600,000,000.00 in the 2014 appropriation of NIWA for the construction of the Makurdi Inland River Port. The balance of funds for the project will be provided for in the NIWA’s subsequent budgets.
“After due consultation and particularly paying attention to compliance with due process, council approved the award of contract for the construction of Inland River Port at Makurdi, Benue State in the sum of N3.8bn inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 18 months.”
The minister added that the council approved the contract for the procurement of insurance cover for assets of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria to the tune of N350.8m.
He said the insurance cover is required annually for the maintenance of the college’s Approved Training Organisation Certificate issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority which precludes the operation of any aircraft without valid insurance cover.
He said there was a budgetary provision of N450m in the Service Wide Vote for the insurance cover for the college’s asset.
Muhammed said the council also approved the purchase of Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS100LL) for the college in the sum of N200m.
