FEC okays N4.2bn power transmission contracts

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the award of contracts for the power sector worth over N4.2 billion in a bid to boost the transmission of power in the country.

Contracts approved by Council include the contract for the construction of a 132KV transmission line and the construction of two 132/33KV substations, both in Ifitedunu and Onitsha in Anambra State, respectively.

Briefing journalists after the weekly FEC meeting which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, Labaran Maku, the information minister, said council focused more on the power and health sectors.

“Council deliberated and approved the award of contract for engineering design, manufacture, supply, construction, testing and commissioning of Onitsha-Ifitedunu 132KV transmission line in favour of Messrs Sinotec-CCC International Joint Venture in the sum of $5,992,974.24 payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment plus N1,141,865, 028.73 inclusive of N271,912,872.12 for 5 percent VAT and 10 percent contingency with a completion period of 24 months.

“Council also approved the award of contract for engineering design, manufacture, supply, construction, testing and commissioning of 2x60MVA, 132/33KV substation at Ifitedunu and 2x 132 line bays extension at Onitsha in favour of Messrs MBH Power Limited in the sum of USD8,315,264.53, payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment plus N864, 274, 352.96 inclusive of N431, 852,916.28 for the right of way compensation, 5 percent VAT and 10 percent contingency with a completion period of 24 months.”

Following a memo tendered by Onyebuchi Chukwu, the minister of health, Council approved a draft bill on the establishment of Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) with uniform functions for forwarding to the National Assembly for passage into law.

The bill seeks to establish FMCs with uniform functions, managerial and administrative structures to provide tertiary healthcare services within areas of operation and for connected matters.

While briefing journalists on the matter, the health minister noted that since the establishment of the Federal Medical Centres, no Act has been enacted for them as they have been operating under the Act establishing the teaching hospitals, ‘University Hospitals’ Act of 1985 CAP 463, with attendant difficulties and challenges in its application.

“Due to rapid growth in professionalism in the health sector, it is imperative to enact enabling laws specifically for these centres in order to maintain cohesiveness in the system”, he said, adding that the absence of law governing the Federal Medical Centres has led to arbitrariness in the system with the resultant inter-professional squabbles and industrial disharmony amongst the professional groups in these centres.