While briefing the journalists immediately after the Federal Executive Council Meeting, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister tabled a memorandum to seek Council's approval for the rehabilitation and expansion of the outer Southern Expressway (Ointercourse) from Villa Round About to the Ointercourse/Ring Road 1 (RR1) Junction including five Interchanges.
That, in order to ensure free flow of traffic and significantly reduce travel time in and out of the city, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) intends to embark on the rehabilitation and expansion of the Ointercourse from the Villa roundabout to the Ointercourse/RR1 Junction. The existing segment of the Ointercourse from Villa Roundabout to RR1 is only partially developed with a 2-lane main carriageway and one 2-lane service carriageway as against the 10-lane expressway provided in the Abuja Master-plan. The Ointercourse is an expressway that bounds the city on the eastern fringe and provides the major access to the city.
Maku further said the project would provide employment opportunities for about 1,500 professionals, artisans, skilled and unskilled labour.
After deliberations, Council approved the rehabilitation and expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway Ointercourse / Ring Road 1 Junction including five (5) interchanges in favour of Messrs CGC Nig Ltd at the contract sum of N39, 829,749,225.69, with a completion period of 36 months, as amended.
Maku said, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory brought another memo to Council seeking approval for the provision of engineering infrastructure to Plot 4075, Asokoro Extension (comprising 50 Plots), Abuja.
According to Maku, Government had already provided engineering infrastructure to virtually all the residential districts of phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC). The outstanding areas that are without infrastructure are mostly those where large plots have been redesigned and sub-divided into smaller plots and allocated to the general public. Plot 4075, Cadastral Zone B04 in Asokoro District Extension is one of such large plots which had been redesigned and sub-divided into 50 smaller residential plots.
The projected employment generation opportunity that would emanate from construction activities following the implementation of the project was expected to be in the neighbourhood of 450 employees.
He said after deliberations, and because the FCTA was desirous of providing engineering infrastructure to the area, council approved the provision of engineering infrastructure to Plot 4075, Asokoro Extension (comprising 50 plots), Abuja, in favour of Messrs COAN (W.A) Limited, in the sum of N1, 683,258,423.00, with a completion period of 12 months.
Maku further said that the Minister of Trade and Investment brought a memo to seek council's approval of policy measures needed to transform the Nigerian automotive industry and attract investment into the sector.
A transformed automotive industry would realize its potential as a major driver of economic growth and diversification, job creation, local value addition, and technology acquisition. These recommendations were adopted at various fora, conferences and consultations with stakeholders including some Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).
After deliberations, Council approved the Automotive Industry Development Plan.
The Council also approved that Government should direct that all vehicles purchased by Government should be from the local assembly plants unless it is of specialized nature and NAC have certified that it is not produced in Nigeria.
The Council approved that the approved recommendations should be backed by appropriate legislation to give comfort to investors that there will be no abrupt change in policy.
The Secretary to the Government of Federation congratulated the President on the successful celebration of the 53rd Independence Anniversary. He stated that the performance of the President at the media Chat and the Independence Broadcast to the nation was inspirational, made Nigerians proud and improved the image of the Administration. He also commended the President for setting up the Committee on national Dialogue (CND) to advise on the modalities for the Dialogue on the way forward for the nation. He informed members that the CND would be inaugurated on Monday, 7th October 2013 at the Council Chambers at 10am.
Source: Federal Executive Council resolutions for Wednesday, 2nd October, 2013 (http://fmi.gov.ng/fec-resolutions/31630/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=federal-executive-council-resolutions-for-wednesday-2nd-october-2013)
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria