The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the total contract sum of N147.4 billion for the Execution of Phase II, Dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road Section I, II, III and IV in Kogi State and Edo State.
Also approved is the reconstruction and asphalt overlay of Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu dual carriageway Phase IV: Ajebandele-Shagamu KM162 + 586 (Ondo State to KM 261 + 000 (Ogun) in Ogun State.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted till 5 p.m. the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and his Works counterpart Mike Onolememen, said the four sections of the road will cost N75.8 billion.
“Council approved the award of contracts for the execution of Phase II (dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road Section I, II, III and IV in Kogi State and Edo State in the follow order:
“Contract No. 6135 for the dualisation Lokoja-Benin Road Section I: Obajana Junction-Okene (40.00km) in Kogi State in favour of Messrs CGC (Nigeria_ Limited in the sum of N18,905,502,377.69 thereby revising the contract sum fron N11.663,957,682.30 to N30,569,460,059.99 .
“Contracts No. 6136 for the dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road Section II: Okene-Auchi (26.70km) in Kogi and Edo states, in favour of Messrs Mothercat Limited in the sum of N10,227,820,541.42, thereby revising the contract sum from N11,086,276,140.35 to N21,294,096,681.78.
“Contract No. 6137 for the dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road Section III: Auchi-Ehor (29.20km) in Edo State in favour of Messrs Danata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited in the sum of N23,206,811,244.87, thereby revising the contract sum from N11,659,588,909.69 to N34,866,400,154.56.
“Contract No. 6138 for the dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road Section IV: Ehor-Benin (47.70km) in Edo State in favour of Messrs RCC (Nigeria) Limited, in the sum of N23,572,346,477.53 thereby revising the contract sum from N11,679,997,440.71 to N35,253,343,918.24,” he stated.
According to him, the Council also approved the award of contract for the construction and asphalt overlay of Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu dual carriageway Phase IV:Ajebandele-Shagamu KM162 + 586 (Ondo State to KM 261 + 000 (Ogun) in Ogun State in favour of Messrs RCC (Nigeria Limited in the sume of N71,648,176,867.38 with a completion period of 48 months.
“The project upon completion will greatly improve the riding qualities of the road and led to reduction of travel time from Benin to Shagamu by five hours.
“The budgetary provision of the sums of N800 million and N10 billion have been approved in the 2014 and SURE-P Appropriation respectively for the project,” he said.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Sam Ortom, told journalists that the Council approved the new International Cocoa Agreement, 2010 which was negotiated by member countries of the International Cocoa Organization ( ICCO), giving the Ministry the go ahead to initiate the process for Nigeria to sign and ratify the Agreement through the Ministry of Justice leading to accession.
He said that the objectives of the ICCO are the development and strengthening of international cooperation between producers and consumers. Also, to encourage research and implementation of its findings through the promotion of training and information programmes leading to the transfer of technologies suitable for cocoa to members countries.
“After deliberations, Council approved that the ministry initiated the process for Nigeria to sign and ratify leading to accession. In addition, Council directed the ministry to forward the Agreement to the Ministry of Justice which will in turn prepare the appropriate instrument of signing and ratification of the new Agreement for deposition at the United Nations Office in New York,” he said.
