Victor Ezeja
Federal Government has awarded a total Sum of N5.7 billion contract for the execution of two Water Supply projects in Yobe State, and agricultural projects in the country.
Approval for the contract was granted during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Both projects are under the ministries of Agriculture & Rural Development and Water Resources.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDuring the meeting which was held in a hybrid format (some council members physically present, while others joined virtually), Council observed a minute silence in honour of former minister of Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Akwanga who passed away on December 17th at the age of 77.
According to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, his ministry presented two memos on agricultural projects which were approved by the Council.
Shehuri said “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development today presented two memos to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“First is a memo seeking for the approval to the award of contract to Agriculture Research Institute and agencies and two certified companies for the production and distribution of seeds and seedlings to farmers.
“The second memo is for the approval of the award of contract for the purchase of 1014 in numbers of soil test kits and soil analytical laboratory equipment to National Institute of Soil Science at the cost of N278, 858,163 million.
“The first memo is the cost of N2,164,702 billion. This memo is, as I said, seeking Council’s approval for our research institutes to produce seeds for farmers for next year’s farming season”, he said.
Also speaking about the meeting, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu, stated that his ministry got approval for the execution of two water projects in Gashua, Yobe State at the sum of N3.51 billion.
Adamu explained that the council gave approval for the project due to its urgency as there is high scarcity of water in the said area leading to upsurge of some health problems suffered by the people.
“The council today approved a memo for the execution of two contracts for Gashua Water Supply Project (phase 2) in Yobe State, (Lot A) in the sum of N1.27 billion and Lot B in the sum of N2.24 billion.
“Essentially, one lot is for extension of the water supply service to Zango and Sabongeri Lamido, comprising of battery, boreholes, submersible pump, solar panels and so on and the other contract is for the upgrading of the existing waterworks, which also includes rehabilitation of some elevated tanks, provision of potable water treatment plants and a host of other ancillary facilities.
“The contract is for a period of 18 months and essentially, this contract was awarded to address the acute water supply situation in Gashua, which is well within the Sahelian region and also because in recent years there has been some prevalence of kidney diseases and kidney failures and a quick intervention were required so that we’ll be able to address this situation.
“In the interim, the National Water Resources Institute under my ministry is conducting an investigation as to why this high prevalence of kidney disease in the area. So, the council graciously approved these two contracts,” Adamu stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
