Insecurity: Federal Govt To Install Baggage Scanners In Railway Stations

The federal government has approved an N495 million contract for the procurement and installation of scanners at some railway stations in the country to minimise the risk of attacks.

Specifically, the baggage scanners are to be installed at the Kubwa, Idu, Jere, Rigassa, Kaduna and Kano railway stations.

Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, disclosed this to journalists after the federal executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja.

According to him, the cost of the contract was put at N495 million.

He said the devices were necessary because of the need to enhance security of lives and property in the nation’s railway facilities.

Adegoroye stated: “The Federal Ministry of Transportation had two memos today, which I presented on behalf of the ministry and it had to do with one, the provision of scanners at all railway stations all over the country.

“You’ll all agree with me that in view of the process of security of lives and property, such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations. Since we’re starting railway revolution, we are trying to put in place a lot of things with the railways. We don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.

“So, today there was a memo before Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I’m happy to inform you that the Council agreed with us and has approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and have goods, then they can pass through the scanners and they can be sure that there’s nothing that can destroy, that can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake”.

Adegoro further disclosed that the Council approved another memorandum for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in respect of the provision of towing services for the new Lekki Deep Seaport and the Dangote Jetty in Lagos.

According to the minister, FEC approved a ten-year concession to a marine services company to provide towing services at the two locations in order to ease operations at the ports.

“The second one had to do with the provision of towing services. You would recall that the Lekki Deep Seaport was commissioned by the President a couple of months back and because one of the statutory responsibilities of the NPA is the provision of marine services, being the regulatory agency in that sector, and because of the new Lekki Deep Seaport and the Dangote Jetty, the need has arisen for a company that can carry out towing services so that it would make a lot of things easier in the ports like ship berthing and discharge of goods.

“So, the Federal Executive Council also agreed with us and has given a 10-year concession to that company, Messrs Arcuff, to carry out two-way services at Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Jetty”, the minister said.

Also, FEC approved a new policy on Agricultural Extension Service aimed at making the practice of agriculture in the country really technology-driven and aid the drive at food and nutrition security in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, who disclosed this during the post-FEC briefing, also disclosed that the ministry had recruited more than 100,000 extension service agents in 2022.

The minister also disclosed, while responding to a question, that there is no food shortage in the country, assuring that the ministry would continue to support the small holder farmers, whom he said produce about 70% of the nation’s food production.

“We presented a memo today on Agricultural Extension Service in the country and the purpose is really to have a good working extension service policy. Of course, you know we do conduct research and today in the age of technology innovations, how do we get this research information to the farmers? It is done through extension service. We have Extension Service agents, which the ministry recruits from time to time. Last year, we recruited way over 100,000 Extension Service agents”, he said.