The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved N47 billion for the provision of additional 40 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
Minister of Power, Sale Mamman revealed this to State House Correspondents while briefing them on the outcome of the first online cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mamman said that the 40 megawatts would be evacuated from Kashimbilla Dam in Taraba State, where it is currently being generated.
He said: “The Council approved the Ministry’s memo for the revised estimated total cost for the augmentation of the subsisting contract in the sum of N47, 235, 303, 821.90 , to provide additional critical power grid infrastructure for the full evacuation delivery and utilization of 40 megawatt, currently being generated form Kashimbilla, via Takum, Wukari and Yandev, to the national grid.”
The Power Minister noted that the additional 40 megawatts would boost electricity supply in Taraba and Benue States as well as the entire North-East region of the country.
He also explained that if the generated power was not evacuated from its source, Nigeria would lose about 120 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to $9 million in a year.
The FEC approved a contract of N683 million for the purchase of 19 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Port Authority NPA.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this as part of the briefing after the meeting, noting that it was the first time in four years that the NPA would buy vehicles.
“The Council kindly approved the sum of N683, 613, 000 for the purchase of 19 vehicles for NPA.
“This is the first time in four years that the NPA is buying any vehicle, that is why the Council considered and approved it.
“These are operational vehicles, not for management staff or any other thing. They are all Toyota,” he explained.
The e-cabinet meeting was physically attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, new Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, Government scribe, Boss Mustapha, and Ministers who had memos to present while the rest of cabinet members participated from their offices, according to Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who chaired the press briefing.
