Federal Gov’t Okays N20bn For Customs Projects

The federal government has approved N20 billion for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to procure Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, construct forward bases in remote areas, and provide life insurance coverage for officers.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced the approval while briefing State House correspondents after the federal executive council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the package includes a N1 billion life insurance policy for NCS officers to enhance their welfare and provide financial security for their families.

“Customs, which I have the honour of chairing the board, came with some N20 billion worth of essential projects and procurements, CNG vehicles and some construction and furnishing of facilities, particularly the forward basis in the remote areas.

“Also, about N1 billion worth of financing for life insurance is a Group Life Insurance policy, which underwriters and brokers implement. So we have two transactions for Customs”, he said.

Meanwhile, the FEC approved $45,303,000 for a detailed feasibility study and engineering design for a new transportation route alignment for the four Western seaports.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, while briefing journalists after the FEC meeting on Monday, explaining that the project would link the Badagry Deep Seaport to Tincan, Tincan to Apapa, Lekki Seaport to Ijebu-Ode and Kajola to the Lagos-Kano-Maradi railway project.

According to Alkali, the initiative aims to enhance economic growth by linking western ports to the hinterland, thereby increasing GDP and economic activity.

“You are all aware that transportation is one of the key priority areas of President Tinubu’s administration and is an enabler of economic growth. So, the Federal Executive Council has approved detailed feasibility studies and engineering design of a proposed route alignment from Badagry Deep Seaport to Tincan, Tincan to Apapa, Lekki Seaport to Ijebu-Ode and Kajola. It is at Kajola and will connect with the Lagos to Kano to Maradi Railway Modernization project.

“The idea is to link the western port to the hinterland. As it is, we have only Apapa Port linked with a red line. We have a standard gauge inter APMT terminal in Apapa, which we use for freight from Lagos to Ibadan. We also rehabilitated the old narrow gauge; we have used it for cargo from Lagos to Kano.

“So by the time we can link all four seaports at the Western corridor to the hinterland, our GDP will grow further and enhance our economic activity. The contract was awarded at the cost of $45,303,000”, he said.