NIMASA, aviation, oil/gas sector get FEC’S approval to spend N3.920bn on infrastructure, training
Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, granted approval for several infrastructure projects and Consultancy Training Services for various sectors of the economy, including the maritime industry, aviation, oil and gas, as well as road infrastructure. Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, who unveiled the various contracts while briefing State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the contract include those awarded to SWETS Marine Consultancy in the sum of $454,050 for sea-time training for the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme. The training captures cadets on-board foreign-going vessels by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The consultancy training services aimed at building capacity of Nigerian youths, is geared toward empowering them to take over lucrative jobs available in the maritime sector, hitherto dominated by foreigners locally and to export excess Nigerian seamen to fill available spaces globally. Over 1000 idling Nigeria seafarers that have graduated, but yet to obtain requisite certificate of competency required of them to be gainfully employed as officers and masters on board ships, are billed to gain from the initiative. The search for the sea-time training opportunities for these sets of cadets had been on since completing their course work several years ago, making this a golden opportunity for them to acquire necessary professional training. There is currently global scarcity of sea-time training spaces on-board merchant ship, thereby making it imperative for NIMASA to take advantage of the opportunity to build requisite capacity. The initiative will also create jobs and reduce unemployment rate in the country as Messr SWETS Marine have given guarantee of adequate spaces to absorb 170 cadets, in addition to guaranteeing job placement on-board Chevron vessels for all cadets that would excel during the training. The Bureau for Public Procurement BPP, had reviewed downward, the Ministry offer from $510,000 to $454,050, which has been accepted by the contractor. “Adequate provision have been made in the 2019 and 2020 budget in the sums of N1,338,093,214 and N1,008,093,214.23, respectively.” Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) also got FEC approval for the award of contract for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme at Odukpani, Cross River State in favour of Messrs Kinetic ElectroMechanical Limited in the sum of N2,923,480,976.70, inclusive of all taxes, and with a completion time of 15 months. He disclosed that due diligence as per the competence of the contractor mentioned above was done, even as BPP had issued certificate of no objection for the contract sum reviewed downward from N3,170,155,068.00 to N2,9923,480,976.70 which has been accepted by Messrs Kinetic Electro-mechanical Limited A provision of N2b had been made in the 2020 budget, while the balance is to be provided for in the subsequent budget. When completed, the project will provide additional infrastructural facility for the manufacturing of Oil and Gas components for the sector, boost capacity in the oil and gas for sector, Provide job opportunities Nigerians as well as boost economic activities in the Odukpani area of Cross River State. The Council also approved an upward review of the contract awarded to Messr Stabilini Company for the construction of Boeing 737 full flight Simulator Building for the Nigerian Aviation Technology, Zaria.