By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N51 billion for the building of bus terminals and other transport facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris announced this on Tuesday while briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the conclusion of the FEC meeting that started on Monday.
He said, the Terminals targeted to be built within 15 months at Kugbo, Abuja Central Business District and Mabushi, will be executed by Planet Projects Nigeria Limited, which did similar contracts in Lagos and Oyo states.
This is even as the Council approved the award of contract to Messrs El and Matt Nigeria Limited to upgrade Kwaita-Yebu Road in Kuala Area Council of Abuja at a cost of N7.6 billion. Completion time is 18 months.
The Council also approved contract for the building of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division at a cost of N37.2 billion. Project will be executed by Messrs Visible Construction Limited.
He further disclosed that the Council approved that all users of Federal airports all over the country must now pay tolls at the gates. No one is excluded. The President and Vice President of Nigeria will also pay the toll.
It announced a ban on sand dredging 10 kms from all Federal bridges throughout the country.
It also “announced a 4-week deadline for review of visa policy to enable tourists, business people, and creative professionals visit Nigeria. The ease of doing business, the council agreed cannot materialise if prospective visitors face a herculean problem getting our country’s visa.
“Part of the review envisaged is that visa applicants can apply for the visa online and get one within 48 hours. Also visas may be waived for holders of visas of some countries”, he said.
The Minister said, the Council granted approval for the supply, installation and training of operators of disabled aircraft recovery system at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The contract will cost N4.2 billion. Similar contract was awarded in 2021 for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in 2021.
“Council approved Special Purpose Vehicle to be created on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis to develop 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to increase Nigeria’s internet connectivity by 60-70 percent. The SPV intends to copy the NLNG model.
“Council approved a consultancy service for the reconciliation and expansion of the remittances to National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“Council approved the request of the Ministry of Communications to convert the property at 324 Jackson Street, San Francisco, USA into a Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Programme Hub. Property owned by the Nigerian government is valued at close to $7million”, he said.
