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…As FEC approves acquisition of 60 utility vehicles, communication gadgets for security agencies in Abuja
It has been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari actually approved the purchase of ₦1.4 billion worth of vehicles for Niger Republic.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed gave the confirmation on Wednesday.
Ahmed explained that providing intervention to the neighboring Niger Republic is not new and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to do the purchase.
According to her, President Buhari, whose actions she cannot question, has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly.
She added that the financial support, which is primarily for the purpose of enhancing capacity to protect their territory, based on a request by the Nigerien Government is also in the best interest of the country.
The minister, who was speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President, responded to questions regarding documents released on social media which showed that the president approved the release of the funds on February 22, 2022 for Niger Republic.
In a related development, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Bello, disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved over ₦2 billion for the procurement of utility vehicles for security agencies working in the nation’s capital.
The approval which was ratified at the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari also includes funds for installing communication gadgets in the vehicles.
Bello while briefing State House Correspondents, on the outcome of their deliberations on Wednesday, noted that the contract was awarded to Coscharis motors with a delivery period of two months.
“Council approved the procurement of security vehicles to support the operations of our security agencies in the FCT. They are about 60 utility vehicles which was awarded to Coscharis motors Ltd with communications gadgets to be installed at a cost of N1.83billion.
“Also an additional approval of ₦847million for the purchase of gadgets was awarded to Messrs E & S, bringing the total amount approved to ₦2,682,248,378,52,” Bello stated.
The minister however said the approval was not connected with the prevailing insecurity in the country, especially within the Federal Capital Territory.
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