FEC approves N26.6billion for contracts

Two 45-seater ferries to be purchased for N168.4 million


The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved approximately N26.6billion for the award of contract for various projects in different sectors.
Amongst these were the purchase of two 45 seater ferries by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the automation of the operations of the Citizenship and Business Department, Ministry of Interior on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists after the weekly FEC meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, said government approved the sum of N168.4 million for the purchase of the two 45-seater ferries for the transportation of Nigerians.
According to Maku, "The provision of the ferries will promote waterways transportation, boost economic activities and reduce pressure on other modes such as road transportation."

He added that the project was expected to create 23 job opportunities for professionals and non-professionals during the operation of the ferries, while many job opportunities will be created indirectly when the ferries are fully operational.
The contract was awarded in favour of Messrs Karflex Fisheries limited in the sum of N168,455,700.00 only, inclusive of all taxes with a delivery period of six months.

Expatiating on the reason behind government's decision to procure the ferries, Maku said: "Council took a major decision to make operational the lower River Niger, of which dredging has been completed. As you all know, since the 1960s every administration in Nigeria had planned to dredge the lower Niger to faciltate the movement of goods and persons through the lower Niger upto the north of the country but these plans had remained in the pipeline until the advent of the Yar'Adua/Goodluck Administration".
"So, in order not to allow the Niger to remain fallow after dredging, Council approved the purchase of two fast moving ferries to ply the Niger right from Ontisha-Warri-Lokoja, carrying passengers. These ferries would be jointly managed by government and the private sector as part of government efforts to bring down the cost of transportation in the country."

In order to improve the efficiency and for optimal service delivery of the Department, Council approved the Automation of the Citizenship and Business Department of the Ministry of Interior on a PPP using BOT model, in favor of Messrs Anchor Dataware Solutions for an initial concession period of five years, in the sum of N455,550,743.87.

The proposed automation programme comprises of the documentation and re-engineering of the Departmental business processes, development of web portal software and revenue collection systems, set up of Local Area Network and Internet connectivity, delivery and deployment o hardware peripherals, provision of training/capacity building and provision of maintenance and support services.

Maku said, when completed, the project is expected to improve the functionality and service delivery of the department through increased operational effectiveness, improved revenue collection and reduced transactional costs, faster response times, reduction in wastage and elimination of endemic fraud.
FEC also approved the award of contract for the first stage of development of the Phase II of Kagini District I, Abuja North Phase IV of the FCT Masterplan which was awarded in December 2010 but could not be completed due to lack of fund.
The continuation of the project could create employment for numerous indigenous professionals, artisans and unskilled labour. (Daily Times)