By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N1.81 7 billion for the construction of the 17-storey Local Contents Building in Yenagoa.
He also said the Federal Government will carry out thorough investigation into the importation of adulterated petrol into Nigeria, adding that people whose vehicles must have also been damaged as a result of the bad fuel are also going to be taken into consideration in dealing with the situation.
The Minister who spoke to State House Correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting at Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday disclosed that FEC approved the full and final payment for the construction of the building in Bayelsa state.
According to Sylva: “Today, the Federal Executive Council closed out the contract for the construction of the 17 storey Local Content Building in Yenagoa. You will recall that in 2020, Mr. President already commissioned that project”.
“There were some ancillary works, that had to be done to connect some of the buildings and that was now presented to Council for the sum of N1.81 7 billion and this now closes out this contract and we have told the contractor This is the full and final payment for everything. So, this is the end of this project and we have completely delivered this to Nigerians”.
On the vexed issue of those who were responsible for the importation of adulterated petrol into Nigeria, the Minister the issue did not come up in Council meeting.
Said he: “That did not come up in Council meeting. Of course, you will recall I was here yesterday, to brief Mr. president on the issue. I will not, I’m not in a position to disclose the identities of the companies. But there are some issues and we’re actively tackling it.
Methanol? No, no. Nobody has before now checked for methanol”.
Explaining further he said: “In fuel, it’s not very usual and that this is the first time this is happening. And NNPC is very much up to the task. And I will also convey your question to NNPC, and maybe the midstream and downstream regulatory authority. But we’re actively handling it. And I want to assure you that the problem will be a thing of the past very soon”.
Asked if the government is looking at an appreciable compensation for those whose vehicles were damaged by the bad fuel, he said:
“I don’t expect you to rush to any conclusions, you know, there’ll be a major investigation to unravel everything and then let’s really get to the bottom of it before we can come back and tell you what is going to happen to the corporates. We know that some people’s vehicles must have also been damaged, that is also going to be taken into consideration in in dealing with the situation”.
