FEC approves purchase of six security boats

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Federal Executive Council  has  approved the purchase of six security patrol boats for the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku,  and his Transport counterpart, Senator Idris Umar, said this after the monthly  FEC meeting presided over by President  Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.

Umar said the government decided  to procure the boats beacuse of  “the compelling emerging security challenges, the new international guidelines and security regime required for enhanced shipping comfort”.

He said three of the boats – two units of 17m Manta MK ASD and one 32m Manta MK ASD – were meant to enhance security at the Lagos pilotage district.

According to him, while the two units of 17m Manta MK ASD will cost $9.4m with a delivery period of 12 months, the 32m Manta MK ASD will cost $10.5m.

The minister said the NPA  and the Navy would use the boats to ensure security at sea as well as to guarantee the  safety of ships.

Umar said the contract for the purchase of another set of three security boats was awarded for N233.6m with a delivery period of six months.

He said the procurement of the boats expected to ferry between 40 and 45 passengers would boost  movement along the  inland waterways.

He said the boats would be used on the Port Harcourt-Onitsha; Calabar-Oron; Yenagoa-Nembe-Brass; and Marina Lagos-Mile II routes.

Umar said, “When completed, the project is expected to create 120 job opportunities for Nigerian professionals.

“The fact that this project will create jobs for Nigerians and provide an alternative mode of transport, the council considered and approved the award of the contract for the Ministry of Transport and the National Inland Waterway Authority in favour of Messrs A.I.A. International Limited in the sum N321.510m.”

Maku added that the passenger boats would be run by the private sector under a special arrangement with the government.

Umar said FEC also approved the award of contracts for the reclamation of Abam-Nnuju-Igbiri-Oba-Ojimba-Okujagu-Ama Waterfront in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State and resident consultancy services of the reclamation works for  N8.3bn  with a completion period of 24 months.

He said  Okrika’s habitable land mass had been reduced to 30 per cent of its original size,  which led to rural-urban migration.

The council also resolved to reposition the Service Compact With All Nigerians with a view to improving service delivery.

Maku explained that the move was meant to look at the performance of government from the points of view of Nigerians.

He said the council approved the establishment of SERVICOM committee in each of all the ministries, departments and agencies. The committee will be headed by ministers or the heads of the agencies.

The minister said, “The committee shall meet every month to review progress and challenges. It is also recommended that ministerial SERVICOM unit in each MDA should be part of that MDA and budgetary provisions should be made for the unit,” he said.