FG approves N15bn ICT devices for census

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, approved two contracts worth N15.3bn for the supply and installation of information and communication technology components and digital assistance devices ahead of the population and housing census slated for May 3 to 5.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed this to State House Correspondents shortly after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shehu said, “Among those memos that were okayed today was the award of the contract for the supply and installation of information and communication technology components for the 2023 population census.

“The ICT component contract was awarded for about N10.9bn.

“Another contract that was approved for the National Population Commission was one for the development and implementation of mobile device management solution for the personnel digital assistance devices to be used for the 2023 population census. This is in the sum of about N4.4bn.”

The presidential spokesman also revealed that the council approved a contract for the development of external cost of infrastructure at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission new training academy for the sum of N3.3bn.

N1bn was also approved for a contract for the procurement of 19 vehicles for the Nigerian Ports Authority.

This followed the approval of N65m for variation in the cost of a contract for the supply of airport fire crash tenders in the Ministry of Aviation.

Shehu also revealed that the FG approved new regulations to protect people living with HIV/AIDS against workplace discrimination.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the council approved three memoranda, including one for the digitisation of processes and workflow which was approved at the sum of N916.8 with an implementation period of 12 months.

The approval would ensure the conversion of all paper records, including files and memoranda into digital format, he said.

Fashola also revealed that the Council approved an additional N36bn as variation for a contract for the construction of the Kaduna Eastern Bypass.

First awarded in 2002 under the Obasanjo administration, the road connects Kaduna with about 11 other states.

“The contract has been long going, awarded since 2002, largely unfunded. We resuscitated it to life through our Sukuk Project; it’s 48 kilometres, over 20 kilometres has been completed, but the rates at which the contract was awarded have become obsolete because of inflation and so, the contractor sought and council has considered and approved an augmentation to increase the contract size from N38bn to N74.65bn.

“So that’s an augmentation of N36.46bn.”

Fashola also said the council approved the construction of four roads in Kwara State, under the Tax Credit System okayed by Buhari through Executive Order Seven in January 2019.

They include Bode Sa’adu-Kaiama-Kosubu Road, 130km, awarded at N152.84bn. Lafiagi-Shonga-Bacita Road, 74.30km, awarded at N80.22bn. Eiyenkorin-Afon-OjokuOffa Road, 42.64km, awarded at N56.33bn; and Okuta-Kenu-Tebe Road, 38km, awarded N37.89bn.

The total length of the four roads is 283.94km to be funded by BUA International Limited at the sum of N327.28bn

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the Nigerian Customs Service received approval to construction several flats at its new barracks site, Aviation Village, Abuja, at N17bn.

“Today the Federal Executive Council gave approval for the construction of 32 block of eight flats that consists of two-bedroom flats and also 15 blocks of six flats consisting of three-bedroom flats for the Nigerian Customs Service at the Aviation village phase two in Abuja.

“MSSRS AMSCO Limited is constructing the flats at the Aviation village here in Abuja. The contract is in the sum of N5.55bn with a delivery period of 81 weeks.

“The second part of it is the construction of 32 blocks of six two-bedroom flats with religious center at the customs service barracks also at aviation village. And this was given to MSSRS WARAMS limited in the sum of N12.84bn naira with a delivery period of 144 weeks,” she explained.

N16.13bn was also approved for the purchase of 210 units of residential accommodation at plot 413 Aviation Village, Abuja for the customs service in favour of MESSRS Abdulwahab Memorial Nigeria limited, she revealed.

Ahmed also revealed that the Council approved the procurement of 192 motor vehicles for the operations and administrative use of the Nigerian Customs Service.

They include Toyotas Prado, Corolla, Camry, Land Cruiser and ambulances worth N9.65bn, including 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.

10 Essential Fruit Cutting Techniques Everyone Should Know plus VIDEO

Mastering basic fruit cutting techniques not only enhances the presentation of your dishes but also makes the process more enjoyable and efficient. Here are ten essential techniques to get you started: Slicing Common Fruits: Apples, oranges, kiwis Description: Slicing involves cutting fruit into thin, even pieces. Use a sharp knife and make sure to cut against the core or pit. For apples and pears, first cut the fruit in half, remove the core, and then slice. For citrus fruits, cut off the ends, stand the fruit upright, and slice downward. An image showing an apple being sliced into even, thin pieces. Dicing Common Fruits: Melons, mangoes, pineapples Description: Dicing involves cutting fruit into small, even cubes. This technique is ideal for fruit salads and salsas. Start by slicing the fruit, then cut each slice into strips, and finally, cut the strips into cubes. For mangoes, slice the cheeks off the pit, score the flesh without cutting through the skin, and push the skin inwa...

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