FEC approves N47.8bn road contracts

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved the award of 13 roads contracts across the country at a cost of N47.8 billion

Speaking at the end of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, told State House Correspondents that the construction of the roads would increase social and economic activities in the states.

Onolememen listed the 13 roads undergoing construction and rehabilitation to include Vandeikya- Obudu Cattle Ranch Phase 1 in Benue State, Mbaise- Ngwa, Abriba – Arochukwu – Ohafia, Makurdi – Gboko and Ohafia – Osu roads in the South-South/ South-East axis.

Roads in the northern states that would benefit from the contracts include: Sokoto – Tambuwal – Jega – Makera, Sokoto – Kontagora, Kunya – Babban Mutum, Zing – Moking and Alkaleri – Bauchi roads.

Also on the list are a corridor linking Anambra – Enugu, Offa By-pass and the stretch of road from Ekot – Ekpene – Aba – Owerri.

Also speaking at the briefing, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), said the security situation in the country could only be effectively tackled with the cooperation and assistance of the public.

According to him, although the police and other security personnel are doing their best to curb terrorism, they are faced with inadequate funding and other security apparatus to effectively tackle the problem.

Olubolade explained that the ministry was concentrating on capacity building to improve the performance of the police, adding that 22,000 policemen had undergone training in the last one year.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to assist the police with credible information that would help in tackling terrorism and other crimes.

He promised that the performance of the police would improve with the introduction of forensic services and DNA mapping.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, in his own comment, described the statement credited to former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, that the police and other security agencies were behind the current spate of bombings as unfortunate.

He said the statement was outlandish, sad and dangerous.

According to him, a highly placed former public officer like Kalu should know that there is no gain in running down the security agencies who make huge sacrifices to ensure that the lives and property of Nigerians are protected.

( National Mirror )