The Federal Government on Wednesday defended the outrageous sum of N1,145,000,000.00, gift to the Niger Republic for the purchase of vehicles despite the public outcry by Nigerians.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, justified the donation after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), when answering questions on the issue.
Ahmed explained that even though Nigerians have the right to question the decision, the President has the power and right to make his own assessment on situations adding that he accordingly approved the purchase of the vehicles.
“Over time, Nigeria has had to support its immediate neighbours to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria is supporting Niger, Cameroun or Chad
“The President makes an assessments to what is required based on the request of their Presidents, as such, the requests are approved and the interventions are provided, to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also in Nigeria.” She defended the action.
According to her, Nigeria has a history of policy of assisting her neighbours to strengthen capacity to deal with insecurity.
A popular social media influencer, David Hundeyin, released documents and the approval by the President on the issue.
The Network gathered that the release of the fund was done on February 22, this year.
According to the documents, the contract to supply the 10 units of Toyoya Land Cruisers was awarded to IFO Kaura Motors Nig. Limited.
In another development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved N2.6 billion for the procurement of utility vehicles and gadgets for security agencies operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the decisions agreed at the Wednesday’s meeting, presided over by President Buhari.
“Today I presented a memo for the procurement of utility vehicles, security gadgets and accessories to support the security agencies operating within the Federal capital Territory and these items are 60 utility vehicles, including communication equipment to be installed in the vehicles, to be supplied at the cost of N1, 835, 108, 613,.95 with a delivery period of two months.” He said.
According to him, his Ministry got an approval for the procurement of more working tools for security agencies responsible for securing the FCT.
“In addition to that, the council also approved the supply of various security gadgets and accessories to support security agencies in the FCT at a total sum of N847, 139, 764.57,” he added.
He stated that the support given to the security agencies was in line with the FCT administration’s policy of aiding their work, to enhance security within the territory.
Minister said the recent attacks in some parts of the FCT have been taken care of assuring the residents that there are tremendous efforts by all relevant authorities, to ensure that the FCT continues to enjoy lasting peace.
Also, FEC, approved the sum of $2.59 billion for the development of Badagry Seaport under a Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, stated that it would be operated for a period of 45 years by the developers afterwhiich Nigerians will take over.
He added that during the PPP lifespan, the project is expected to provide about 200,000 jobs while generating a revenue of $56 billion.
According to him, the project is expected to make Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa.
In the same vein, the Council also approved a new policy for the institutionalization of the practice of monitoring and evaluation in Nigeria to be known as the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, NMEP.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ahmed stated that the policy would go a long way to improve the wellbeing of citizens and socio-economic development of the country.
“The policy defines a framework for the institutionalization of the practice of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to promote good governance, learning and accountability for results that will contribute to improve socio-economic development of the country and enhance the wellbeing of citizens.
“The policy clarifies how M&E should be conducted in the country; specify the position, institutional and financial arrangements and the modalities for feedback, especially from citizens so that decision makers can make effective use of evidence by government and stakeholders to inform policy strategies and investment,” she said.
She further explained that Council approved the policy which was developed in close collaboration with States of the Federation, development partners, academia and several experts as well as associations of monitoring and evaluation in Nigeria.
