By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja Wednesday approved the sum of N3.070 billion for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to acquire necessary laboratory equipment needed to do its work.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said “The Ministry of Health presented a memo on behalf of NCDC public health laboratory specialist and for Centre for Disease Control.
“It is for six contracts for laboratory equipment and to the total worth of N3,070,892,988 for various equipment and supply, to strengthen the work of NCDC in various parts of the country, to be more ready for the work they do in diagnostics preparedness, not only for COVID-19 but for any other disease outbreak of public interest in the future.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasola, told State House Correspondents at the briefing that Council approved the revised estimate total cost of the Enugu-Onitsha Highway which is N8.649 billion.
The 22-kilometre section of the 100-kilometre road is being handled by Niger Construction in order to expedite conclusion of works.
He said: “Variation was to cater for the change of the pavement surface, the binder course and the wearing course to crease thickness and also to utilise modified bitumen and also to strengthen the shoulders and some bridge works. Council approved the variation of N8.649 billion in favour of Niger Construction.”
Also, the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba Council approved a memo that has to do with the reviewed National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan 2020 to 2043.
According to him, “The maiden Master Plan was from 2014 to 2043 and embedded in it as a living document is that it ought to be reviewed every five years. There are about seven asset classes that are contained in the master plan. This is in the areas of transportation, energy, ICT, agriculture, water and mining, social infrastructure, housing and regional development, security and vital registration.
“The maiden edition didn’t have the macro economic framework embedded in it but with the reviewed update that has been approved today by the council, it includes macro economic framework. It also allows for the establishment of the National Council on Infrastructure under the Chairmanship of the Vice President to provide policy direction and infrastructure related materials.”
Those who attended Wednesday meeting physically were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.
Others Ministers present were, Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Justice, Abubakar Malami; Agriculture, Sabo Nanono; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Industry,Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, while other ministers and the Head of Service attended virtually.
