*The Nigerian Government discloses the Federal Executive Council has approved the procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts, under the National Agricultural Mechanisation for improved food security in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its recent meeting, in Abuja, FCT, conducted the swearing-in of eight new Permanent Secretaries, mandated Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) to fast-track implementation of separation of the Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a recap of the latest major decisions of FEC, said the Council members congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his re-election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for another one-year term.

On the Procurement Act, Onanuga noted the Council deliberated on the need to align project costs with the budget heads and avoid augmentation after the awards of contracts.

The Presidential aide stated: “Council (FEC) learnt that the augmented contracts are those inherited by the Tinubu Administration, with most of them awarded over 10-15 years ago.

“Council decided that the Attorney-General of the Federation should review the Procurement Act in operation since 2007 to bring it in line with contemporary demands.”

The Nigerian Government urged Ministries to reconcile project costs with budget provisions, and where extra funding is needed, get the clearance of the Ministers for Budget and Finance respectively.

Onanuga said the two Ministers then, would serve as a clearing house for capital projects in the Nigerian economy.

On Samoa Agreement and attendant misinformation to Nigerians

At the FEC meeting, the Minister for Budget and Economic Planning and Minister for Information and National Orientation reported to the Council about the misinformation being disseminated by a Nigerian newspaper against the agreement to sow disaffection against the Tinubu Administration.

Onanuga disclosed the Minister for Budget reiterated that there was “no issue of LGBTQ in the international agreement signed by the Nigerian government.”

According to the statement, the Minister and the Attorney-General of the Federation also reported that “the agreement does not contain any clause that conflicts with the Nigerian laws and the Constitution, citing the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).”

“Minister for Information and National Orientation reported on the complaint filed against the newspaper with the Ombudsman of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN),” stated Onanuga.

In regard to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and IPPIS platform, the Council directed the Secretary of the Government of the Federation “to expedite the implementation of the council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.”

Besides, the Federal Government ratified the anticipatory approval given 28 May, 2023, by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the University of Science and Technology in the Federal Capital.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy noted the university is the first of the network of Pan-African Institutes of Science and Technology, dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.

As regards the new “Ministry of Livestock Development”, Onanuga affirmed the Council decided that the Ministry be excised from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and developed along the lines suggested by the Presidential Livestock Development Council, headed by Prof. Attahiru Jega, ex-Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The statement disclosed the FEC, as well approved some contracts listed as follows:

1. Facility Maintenance Service submitted by EFCC, in favour of Julius Berger at a cost of N392 million.

The contract sum was less than the N533 million approved in 2018 for the yearly maintenance of the Headquarters of the EFCC, in Abuja.

2. Procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts.

Onanuga stated the National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (NAMP) would supply the approved agricultural equipment and spare parts to strengthen national food security.

Astride DMCC, which has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Togo, will supply all the equipment and will also set up a plant to assemble the machinery, in the second stage of the contract, noted the statement.

3. Contract for the engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment and facilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector in favour of Messrs PE Energy Limited. Completion will be 180 days.
4. Contract for the procurement of pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution Technology in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, in favour of Messrs P-Lyne Energy Limited. Completion will also be in 180 days.
5. Two Contracts for the supply of 21 SUVs to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

The contracts in favour of Elizade Nigeria Limited.

6. Contract for the procurement of low and high voltage substation connectors in favour of Messrs Maglous Enterprises Limited.

The connectors are for Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Onanuga added the Federal Executive Council later adjourned the meeting till Monday, July 15, 2024.

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