Federal Executive Council Resolutions for Wednesday 9TH October, 2013

[FMINigeria]

While briefing journalists immediately after the Federal Executive Council Meeting, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said that the FCT Minister tabled a memorandum to seek Council's approval for the ratification of the President's anticipatory approval for the construction of new residences for presiding officers of the National Assembly, Abuja.

He said the FCT Administration awarded contracts for construction of Residences for the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly at Maitama Extension District of the City in 2010.  The Leadership of the National Assembly was not comfortable with the location of the site in view of the prevailing security situation in the city within the last two years and the projects were converted to Guest Houses for the two Arms of the National Assembly.

That the FCTA subsequently earmarked a 10.0 Hectare piece of land for the project, being Plot No. 1542, Cadastral Zone A00, within the Three Arms Zone to ensure that those high risk Public Officers also reside within the high security Three Arms Zone.

It was estimated that a 1000-strong skilled and unskilled labour force would be engaged during the construction, while a team of 200 would be involved in the direct operation of the Estate.

That after deliberations, the Council ratified the President's anticipatory approval for the Construction of New Residences for Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, in favour of Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc., in the sum of N24,148,141,656.29, including VAT, with a completion period of 24 months.

Maku said the Minister of Transport brought a memo to seek Council's approval for the construction, delivery and commissioning of 100 number "R" class MDPE channel marking buoys for the Ministry of Transport (MOT)/Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

The project upon completion would delineate the channels and enhance safe navigation in and out of the ports.

The project would create job opportunities for 20 Nigerians professionals and 300 non-professionals during its execution.

After deliberations, according to Maku, Council approved the construction, delivery and commissioning of 100 No. "R" Class MDPE Channel Marking Buoys for the Ministry of Transport (MOT)/Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in favour of Messrs Marina Energy Limited (formally known as Marina Gold Fountain Resources), in the sum of USD3,574,216 payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment, inclusive of all taxes, with a completion period of 20 weeks.

Maku further told reporters that the Minister of Transport brought a memo to seek Council's approval for the Revised Estimated Total Cost (RETC) for the Reclamation of Abam-Nnuju-Igbiri-Oba-Ojimba-Okujagu-Ama Water Front and Back Swamps and the Resident Supervision Consultancy Services.

He said the Council had at its meeting of 27th June 2012 approved the projects in favour of Messrs Roudo (Nigeria) Limited.

In the course of project implementation, according to the Information Minister, it became necessary to increase the scope of works to cover additional 9Ha of land and the actual site requirements also made it imperative to construct 1,400m length lined drains in order to protect the reclaimed areas and ensure their sustainability.  The lined drains and the additional 9Ha to be reclaimed were not in the original scope of works.  These additional works ultimately utilized the contingency provision of the contract and the Consultant, Messrs Etat Consulting Ltd.

He said the project created 95 professional and 119 non-professional job opportunities while the Consultancy created 35 professional and 69 non-professional job opportunities during its execution.

After deliberations, Council approved the RETC for the Reclamation of Abam-Nnuju-Igbiri-Oba-Ojimba-Okujagu-Ama Water Front and Back Swamps and the Resident Supervision Consultancy Services as follows:

(a)        The RETC of N8,875,799,132.63 inclusive of all taxes representing 11.76% augmentation of the contract sum of N7,941,584,858.63 by N934,214,274.00 for the Reclamation work in favour of Messrs Roudo (Nigeria) Limited;

(b)        The RETC of N408,150,063.63 inclusive of all taxes representing 6.50% augmentation of the Consultancy fee of N383,251,938.63 by N24,898,125.00 for the Resident Supervision Consultancy Services, in favour of Messrs Etat Consulting Limited.

Maku also told reporters that the President would flag-off the Nigerian national Stroke Prevention programme immediately after the FEC meeting.  He stated that medical reports revealed an increasing rate of sudden deaths among Nigerian resulting from stroke and heart related diseases, due to lack of regular medical check-up.  He advised Nigerians to embark on routine medical check-up with a view to getting early warning signs of such ailments.

He added that the President had approved the programme and in demonstration of his exemplary leadership quality, he and the Vice-President would be tested after the meeting.

Maku said that the Minister of Labour and productivity told Council that the Ministry was in continuous negotiation with the PENGASSAN, NUT, NUPENG, NIMET and NARD Labour Unions.  He said that the threat by the NUPENG to embark on strike was averted as they were informed that their demand was not a Labour issue, while the NIMET threat was also averted by the Ministry of Aviation.

He disclosed that the on-going strike by the NARD was also agreed to be called off by Thursday 10th October, 2013.  He assured council that the Ministry was working assiduously to address all Labour issues.

Maku said that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1 commended the President for successfully leading the Nigerian delegation to the 68th UNGA.  He said that the President's address at the General Debate and his position as the 4th out of 193 speakers should be celebrated; adding that the President spoke for Nigeria and Africa on key global issues, including Nigeria's bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

The Council noted all the appraisals.

Source: Federal Executive Council Resolutions for Wednesday 9TH October, 2013
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria

[Folami David]

It's one thing to set up resolutions but it's another thing to fulfil them.
Let's wait and see