*Buys N2.68bn security vehicles, gadgets for Abuja
Federal government on Wednesday confirmed a social media report that President Muhammadu Buhari approved a N1.14billion contract to purchase security vehicles for neighbouring Niger Republic to tackle insecurity in the country.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed confirmed the purchase while fielding questions from State House correspondents shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President.
Amid the fury the approval has elicited among Nigerians, the Minister declared that the President reserved the right to take such a decision in the interest of Nigeria
“This is not the first time the country is providing such interventions to her neighbors”, the Minister said.
“Overtime, Nigeria has had to support its neighbors especially the immediate neighbors to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria had assisted Niger Republic, Cameroon or Chad.
“The President makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their Presidents. Such requests are approved and interventions are provided.
“It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria.
“Nigerians have the rights to ask questions, but also the President has the responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interest of the country and I cannot question the decision myself.
“I have said the this is not the first time and that Nigeria as a country has provided an intervention to our neighbors. It is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so” she added.
The social media report contained in a post by journalist, David Hundeyi, showed that the President approved the release of the fund to supply 10 units of Toyota Land Cruisers by a Nigerian motor dealer, Kaura Motors Nig. Limited to Niger Republic.
The FEC also approved the procurement of utility vehicles and accessories worth N2.68 billion for use by security agencies in Abuja as recent breaches of security continue to heighten anxiety in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, explained that the procurement includes 60 Ford Ranger four-wheelers equipped with relevant gadgets, to be supplied by Coscharis motors, at a cost of N1.83bn within two months.
The second part of the contract is for E&S Tech. ltd. to supply various gadgets and accessories to support security agencies in the FCT, at a cost of N847.13million.
The Minister also said that although the approval of the purchases was a regular gesture from government, it coincided with the aftermath of recent unprecedented security challenges in Abuja, including a major prison break and attack on presidential guards by terrorists.
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