One of such contracts is the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Section II, Phase II, which consists of the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway carriageway and service lanes extending from Beach Land Junction to Cele Bus Stop.
The contract has been awarded to Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc in the sum of N15bn, with a completion period of 15 months.
Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenen; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; and the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Justifying the contract award, Onolemenen said the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway was of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region "because it is a gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island Ports and part of the Trans West African Highway (Coastal)."
He said, "Due to ageing, the road has virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying goods to and from the ports. The drainage system has also collapsed."
According to the minister, FEC also approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section I: Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower in Abia State in the sum of N39.5bn, with a completion period of 40 months.
He said the contract for the Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crossing of the same road was also awarded in the sum of N50.8bn, with a completion period of 40 months.
Onolemenen added that two roads would be rehabilitated under the Federal Roads Development Project, in conjunction with the World Bank.
The roads, according to him, include Lot C: Mokwa-Bida Road, in the sum of N10.9bn and completion period of 24 months as well as Lot D: Akure-Ilesha Road in the sum of N7.3bn, with a completion period of 21 months.
Nebo said the council also approved the contract for the design, manufacture and supply of six 40MVA 132/33KV mobile substations complete with spare parts and accessories in the sum of N1.8bn with delivery period of eight months.
He said the sum was made up of $10m for the purchase and N247m for port clearing, transportation and the Value Added Tax.
The minister said the mobile substations that would be used to ensure continuity of electricity supply during major works at existing substations would create 138 direct jobs at the substations and 1,380 indirect jobs as a result of multiplier effect on the economy.
He said seven out of the 10 power plants and 150 out of the 220 substations being built across the country were ready for commissioning.
Nebo also ruled out the extension of deadline for the payment of 75 percent by preferred bidders of the nation's privatised generating and distribution companies, which expired on Wednesday.
He said information at his disposal showed that the successful bidders were responding well.
Minister of Transport, Umar, said the official commencement of the transportation of containers by rail from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano would be done on Friday in Lagos.
0 comments: