...Customs get N17bn for additional barracks

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari has approved two contracts worth N15.3 billion for the supply and installation of information and communication technology (ICT) components as well as digital assistance devices for the 2023 population census.

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents after the federal cabinet meeting at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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According to him, “Among those memos that were okayed today was the award of the contract for the supply and installation of information and communication technology (ICT) components for the 2023 population census. This is for the National Population Commission (NPC). It is meant for census. The ICT component contract was awarded for about N10.9 billion.

“Another contract that was approved for the National Population Commission was the contract for the development and implementation of mobile device management solution for the personal digital assistance devices to be used for the 2023 population census. This is in the sum of about N4.4 billion.”

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Shehu said council also approved contract for the development of external cost of infrastructure at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) new training academy at N3.3 billion naira.

He added that the sum of N1 billion was equally approved for the contract for the procurement of 19 vehicles for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Shehu said council approved N65 million for variation in the cost for the supply of airport fire crash tenders in the Ministry of Aviation.

He said council approved policy on HIV/AIDS to protect people living with the disease against work place discrimination and new regulations on woodworking ecosystem.

Additionally, Council also approved a bill to replace the outdated mining law in Nigeria.

Shehu speaking on the two approvals for Ministry of Labour and Employment said: “One is pertaining to the woodworking ecosystem. Government has revised regulations pertaining to woodworking machinery and the entire ecosystem which dated back to 1959. New regulations have been put in place as empowered by the law. And by this approval, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will domicile and gazette these changes that have been approved.

“His other approval is on policy on HIV/AIDS. Basically, this is to guarantee personal human rights over people with HIV in work places so that they are not discriminated against and they are given equal rights. So, that is what it is about. They are not discriminated against and they are given all that is due to them. And they are respected, especially with regards to their personal and human rights.”

Minister of Mines and Steels Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, said council approved a new bill to go to the National Assembly to replace the old law guiding mining in Nigeria. The law we are operating on now is 2007 Nigeria Mineral and Mining Law and 2007 to date is 16 years. It has become obsolete.

“A lot of new things have come up in mining. There’s a renewed focus and everyone is coming there and as expressed today, it’s a new frontier for economic growth in Nigeria. So we need to update the law in line with modern realities and the laws with some amendments.

“The bill, the proposed Act was passed in the Chamber’s with some amendments. So the Attorney General will be sending the bill, which is the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2023. to the National Assembly, which we intend to follow up.

“The members of National Assembly are fully with us on this and are part of the process. They promised us a speedy process, so that this bill can pass and Mr. President can accent to it before we leave office in May.”

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said, the council approved three memoranda, including one for the digitization of processes and workflow which was approved at the sum of N916.8 million and augmentation of road projects

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the Nigerian Customs Service was granted approval for the construction of several flats at their barracks worth over N17 billion in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

THE SUN