While briefing State House correspondence immediately after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku said the Minister of Aviation tabled a memorandum before the Council, to apprise Council of the Revised National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) and seek Council's approval of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013.
He said the NCAP was last reviewed in July 2001. Since the 2001 NCAP review there had been numerous changes in the economic, political, safety, security and technological situation at the global and national levels. It has become necessary to review the NCAP so as to realign it with the demands of the Transformation Agenda and to make it responsive to the new safety, security and technological dynamics of the Global Aviation Industry.
According to Maku, the main thrust of the 2013 NCAP is to develop a broad strategic plan to build a stronger, dynamic and liberalized aviation sector that would meet present and future challenges, as well as the promotion of a harmonized approach to achieve international standards on safety, security and comfort of passengers as elaborated in the 11 parts of the revised Policy.
After deliberations, Council approved the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013.
Maku said the Minister of Federal Capital Territory brought a memorandum to seek Council's approval for the provision of primary water supply scheme to Karshi Satellite Town of the Federal Capital Territory.
That the Master Plan of Abuja provides for the development of Satellite Towns alongside the Federal Capital City (FCC) to achieve even distribution of population and development within the FCT.
The original scope of Engineering Infrastructure to Karshi Town as conceived in 2006 included the construction of Dam and Water Treatment Plant. However, due to inadequate budgetary provision and lack of detailed Engineering Design for the project, the implementation of this component of the work was deferred to a later date. The contracts for the provision of Engineering Infrastructure for the Satellite Towns of Bwari, Karshi and Kubwa Satellite Towns were awarded at about the same time, however, all the Satellite Towns except Karshi had primary water supply schemes linked to the Lower Usuma Dam Water Works.
The Information Minister said the project would create employment opportunities for 600 Nigerians, provide adequate water to the inhabitants of the area and improve agricultural yield through dry season farming.
Having noticed that the project, would also, increase the socio-economic activities and well-being of people within Karshi Satellite town and environs in line with the Transformation Agenda of the present Administration; the council therefore, approved the provision of primary water supply scheme to Karshi Satellite town of the FCT, in favour of Messrs S.C.C. (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N19,438,012.99, with a completion period of 30 months.
Maku told journalists that the Minister of Education brought a note to apprise council of the participation of the Ministry of Education at the Education World Forum and the Global Summit for Education Ministers which took place at Westminster, London from 28th to 30th January, and the British Council African Ministers of Education Forum hosted by the British Council at Spring Gardens, London on 31st January, 2013.
The objectives of the Summit were for the Ministers of Education and Skills to debate future practices in education through events, presentations, informal discussions, exchange of views and ideas.
He stated that the forum noted that technology and learning tools improve quality and maximize impact on education through three dimensions of class instruction, was highlighted.
The African Ministers' Forum concluded that school curricula should be updated regularly and linked with industry, infrastructure increased, regional strengths and best practices shared through exchange programmes, and integrating these into school leadership programme by the British Council.
He further said that the Minister of Agriculture brought a note to apprise council of the acceptance of Nigeria as the 20th Executive Member Nation of the International Ocean Energy System (OES).
The OES brings together countries to advance research, development and demonstration of conversion technologies to harness energy from all forms of ocean renewable resources, such as tides, waves current, temperature gradient (ocean thermal energy conversion and submarine geothermal energy) and salinity gradient for electricity generation, as well as for other uses, such as desalination, through international cooperation and information exchange.
The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), and Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is the contracting agency for the Federal Government of Nigeria on the international body. He said the council noted all the appraisals.
Maku told reporters that during the meeting, the Minister of Transport briefed the Council on the progress and challenges of his ministry in the year 2012.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria