News Investigators/ The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved N2.9billion for the provision of water and fire service equipment for the National Oil and Gas Park.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the park is to be sited in Odukpani, Cross River State.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, made this known on Wednesday at the end of the second session of virtual meeting of the council coordinated from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, the project when completed, will provide additional infrastructure for the manufacture of industry-wide Oil and Gas components and boost economic activities in Cross River.
“Today, Council approved the provision of water and fire service equipment in the National Oil and Gas Park to be sited in Odukpani, Cross River State, in the sum of N2.9billion.
“The oil and gas scheme is to provide an environment, a corridor for siting industries that will produce components locally for the oil and gas industry.
“Of course, this park will create jobs and also increase local capacity and participation in the oil and gas industry.” Mr. Sylva said.
The Federal Executive Council also approved N610million for the construction of a Faculty of Health Services in Plateau State University’s Bokkos campus.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this while speaking on the outcome of the meeting.
“The Minister of Education today presented a memo seeking approval of council for the award of contract for the construction, equipping and furnishing of a faculty of Health Sciences in Plateau State University, Bokkos.
“It was awarded at the cost of N610,355, 221.82 and the completion period is for 52 weeks.
“Also, a procurement of furniture and equipment was awarded at N114,357,600 and completion period is 12 weeks,” Mr. Mohammed said.
In his contribution, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that the Council approved 454,000 dollars for sea-time training of cadets, under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA).
According to the minister, the objectives of the Consultancy training services on-board Foreign-going Vessels are as follows:
“To build capacity of Nigerian Youths to take over the lucrative jobs available in the maritime sector, hitherto dominated by foreigners locally, and to export excess Nigerian seamen to fill available spaces globally.
“To enable over 1,000 idling Nigeria seafarers that have graduated but are yet to obtain requisite certificate of competency required of them, to be gainfully employed as officers and masters on board ships.
“There is currently global scarcity of sea-time training spaces on-board merchant ships, thereby making it imperative for NIMASA to take advantage of the opportunity to build requisite capacity.
“The need to further reduce unemployment rate in the country and the fact that Messr SWETS MARINE has given guarantee of adequate spaces to absorb 170 cadets,” the minister added.
This is in addition to guaranteeing job placement on-board Chevron vessels for all cadets that excel during the training. (NAN)
