FEC approves N3.04bn for installation of taxi lighting systems in Lagos, Abuja airports

By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved N3.04 billion for the procurement and installation of a taxi lighting system and photometric pattern for the airports in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja.

Briefing journalists after the FEC meeting on Monday, Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation minister, said the council also approved funds for the provision of equipment in airports all over the country.

The minister also noted that “as part of our roadmap, the

Aviation Leasing Company has been established and approved by council”.

“So, entrepreneurs and civil aviation will have access to lease equipment at affordable rates within our country, Nigeria, and this is part of a roadmap. The roadmap is gradually coming to 100 percent completion. I am glad to see the full business case has been approved by the FEC,” he said.

“A second memo was also for the award of contract for the procurement, and installation of taxi lighting system, and photometric pattern for Port

Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and some other equipment all over the country.

“In this contract, the total sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for both airports mentioned is total contract sum of N3,047,127,022.72, with seven and half percent VAT and 12 months completion period. The contractor is Messrs KSR3 Global Nigeria Limited. So, those are the two memoranda.”

Meanwhile, Sirika reiterated the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to ensure that Nigeria Air, the proposed national airline, flies before the May 29, 2023, when a new government would be installed.

“Yes, we are on course and by the grace of God, before President Buhari leaves office, it will fly. We are on course and before May 29, it will fly,” he said.

Also speaking to journalists, Demola Adegiroye, minister of state for transportation, said the council approved the sum of N1.3 billion for the procurement of furniture for the newly acquired headquarters of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Security Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.

NSIA, Climate Change Council sign MoU on emissions regulations in Nigeria

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to ensure the development of a climate change framework and provide guidelines for regulating emissions in Nigeria.

Speaking on Monday during the signing ceremony, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of NSIA, said the agreement was made due to the urgency to address climate risks.

Umar-Sadiq said the collaboration would go a long way in ensuring the development and implementation of strategies to support climate change actions and energy transition.

He added that through the partnership, the implementation of a carbon emissions trading mechanism in the country, management of a national carbon registry as well as a climate change fund will be facilitated.

PTAD: How we’ve

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) says it has addressed the challenges of pensioners across the country.

Speaking at a forum with pensioners and stakeholders in the north-west zone on Monday, Chioma Ejikeme, PTAD executive secretary, said since the establishment of the directorate 10 years ago, it has consistently worked hard to achieve positive and sustainable changes in the direct benefits scheme (DBS) pension management.

She said prior to the establishment of the PTAD, the DBS was fraught with allegations of fraud, corruption and inefficiencies, adding that the establishment of the directorate changed the narrative.