The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved N75.78 billion for flood control in the six geo-political zones of the country and some projects by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal Ministry of Transportation.Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of FCT Mr Mohammed Musa Bello said the council approved N56.2 billion for the construction of Kuje 105 highway, access road and car park for Abuja Light Rail station.“Council approved two contracts for the FCT including for the Full Scope Development of Federal Capital Territory Highway 105, Kuje Road, from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction Stage 1, Abuja at the cost of N54,946,009,160.04. It was awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors O. A. O Nigeria Limited with a completion period 48 months.“The second contract award is for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail Stations – Gbazango Station of the Federal Capital City, Abuja – Lot 7 at the cost of N1,291,568,845.33. It was awarded in favour of Messrs CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited with a completion period of eight months,” he said.He said efforts are being made to complete the longstanding Apo-Karshi road whose implementation had been delayed because of lack of funding and design error.“Apo-Karshi road is a road that should have been completed quite some time. It has faced a lot of challenges, some of which include funding, design error, and a few other issues.“I do know that just before I took my break, a team from the relevant departments interfaced with them and they are very clear. I will try as much as possible to get this project over with at the level of my office by making sure that funding is adequately provided,” he said.Also speaking, the Minister of Information and Culture Mr Lai Mohammed said the council approved 14 projects under the Ecological Fund Office spanning the six geo-political zones of the country.“You note that these projects are divided across the six geopolitical zones. Two in the south east, two in the south west, two in the south – south; north east has two, northwest has three, north central and FCT has three.“What I want to add here is that most of these projects when completed, they are handed over to the beneficial committees. But the intervention of the Ecological Office is massive, huge and If we can complete 261 in six years, all that shows is that an average of about 40 or more every year.“The other memo is of equal importance, on behalf of Mr President. It is the memo seeking approval for the award of contract for the provision of various agricultural inputs and equipment for the National Youth farmers scheme.“As you are aware, we have the National Youth farmers scheme under the National Agricultural Land Development Authority. Here, four contracts were awarded for the total sum of N1billion, N393 million naira with various competition periods,” he said.The minister said the present administration has intervened in 291 projects out of which 263 have been completed and handed over to beneficiary communities and institutions while a total of 28 are at various stages of completion.Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation Mr Rotimi Amaechi said the council approved memo for the clearing of equipment for the deep blue project, “which will enable us sight some of these projects in the coastal towns along the coasts,” at the cost N2.7 billion to be paid to the clearing agents.He said the council also approved a contract for the reconstruction of the narrow gauge track from Niger to Baro.“So, there will now be a rail line from Baro to Minna to join the narrow gauge so that when cargoes come to Baro, they can then be evacuated through the narrow gauge,” he said.
