The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the sum of N2.02b for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, for the purchase of 52 numbers, operational vehicles.
Minister of Interior, Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who briefed State House Correspondents alongside his colleagues in Information and the Minister of State Power, Jedy Agba, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister stated that the fund is for the procurement of 52 vehicles comprising 27 of the vehicles are Buffalo Double Cabin, MG 2021 model, 15 Toyota Hilux four-wheel drive premium package 2020 modal and 10 Toyota Hiace ambulance bus with full option.
He said: “This is done to enhance the capacity of the agency to combat crimes and criminality in Nigeria. It’s my belief that this will go a long way in protecting lives and property in Nigeria.”
On whether the bids were open to local contractors he said: “It was an open bidding exercise, and I think I saw some of our local manufacturers bid, they bidded and the best and most responsive bids won the contract.
“So there is no issue about whether we discriminate against local manufacturers or prefer foreign manufacturers. That is my response to the fact that it was an open bidding.”
The Council also also approved power contracts for the Ministry of Power, according to the Minister of State for Power, Jedy Agba
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“FEC today approved three major contracts aimed at enhancing the performance of the national grid with the view to improving power supply. One of the lines is the one linking Benin, Oshogbo and Akure in Edo, Osun and Ondo States.
“So in the three states, the grid in that area has been weak for some time, but with this approval of today’s contract, we are swinging into action and certainly, very shortly, we would have improvements on the grid in that area.
“Also the 133 KVA in Akwanga and Lafia in Nasarawa State, has also been improved that also helps to strengthen the line to Abuja through those two states and the states further, Plateau and Benue States would have improved electrical supply, following those strengthening.
“So if we empower our grid properly, and given the encouragement the president and FEC has given us, we promised Nigerians that the grid will be enhanced, and electricity supply to the country improved, however, gradually. But we were working on that. And with these approvals, we hope to do better for Nigerians.”
Physically present at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Head of the Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
Other ministers who were physically present were Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, Water Resources Suleiman Adamu, Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu, Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi, Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare.
Others were the Minister of State Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, and Works and Housing, Mu’Azu Sambo.
