The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on Wednesday, January 29th 2014, approved the N240.2 million for the direct procurement of 44 IVM G5 Jeeps for the 37 Chairmen of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The vehicles to be procured is for the coordination and implementation committee of the community services, women and youth employment projects under Subsidy Re- investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, the Minister of Information and Supervising Minister for Defence, Labaran Maku told journalists at the Post FEC briefing.
The FEC also approved the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Draft Bill 2014 for onward transmission to the National Assembly for promulgation into law to provide the necessary framework for the regulation of the Metal Industry in Nigeria.
The minister of information briefed alongside the minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Nwogu and the minister of Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel Development Supervising Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mohammed Sada, after the meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Innoson Jeeps which were purchased by the Voice of Nigeria.
According to the information minister, the memorandum was brought to FEC by the Labour Minister, seeking approval for the award of contract for the direct procurement of 44 IVM G5 Jeeps for the 44 chairmen of the state and FCT Coordination and Implementation Commission (SCIC) of the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment (CSWYE) project of SURE-P and the Implementation Unit (FPIU) at the headquarters.
The labour minister also at the briefing told journalists that will aid government in the effective monitoring and implementation of the project, adding that ” it has become important that utility vehicles are procured which will enhance monitoring and supervision of the community services,women and youths employment activities at the state and local government levels nationwide. There is a budgetary provision in the 2013 appropriation for the project”
Nwogu further stated that the choice of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturer Company Limited is line with the Federal Government policy to patronize locally manufactured vehicles through direct procurement method of the said vehicles.
“After deliberations, council approved the award of the contract in the sum of N240.2 million inclusive of VAT with a completion period of one week,” he said.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Supervising Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, had also during the Council meeting presented a memorandum to seeking approval for the Draft Nigerian Metallurgical Industry a Bill and for subsequent transmission to the National Assembly for enactment into law.
The objective of the Bill is to amongst others, assist in regulating the operations of all metallurgical plants in Nigeria by ensuring that metallurgical products and the raw materials being manufactured or imported into the country meets the set standards as well as enforcing compliance with quality, safety and metallurgical environmental regulations.
The Minister stated that the draft bill was started over two years ago with interaction with stakeholders.
