Federal Govt Okays N18bn For Vehicles For Customs 

The federal government has approved three memoranda, amounting to a total sum of N18,544,797,176 for works and purchase of operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service.

Minister of state for budget and national planning, Clem Agba, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by vice president, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa.

According to him, the work, has to do with the restructuring of the auditorium of the service’s headquarters, as well as the operational vehicles, 337 units in number,  aimed at easing work environment and to protect the personnel, motivate them and allow them to do their job efficiently, especially across very difficult terrains.  

“The first one had to do with the provision of additional seats in the auditorium at the customs headquarters in order to increase the sitting capacity so that it can be used for large events, seminars and meetings. 

“The makeup of these items are provision and installation of audiovisual system, conference hall, finishing, ground… , provision and installation of acoustic paneling and door for the auditorium, and then partitioning and doors. Inclusive of this is additional seats at the auditorium, at the total cost of N1,257,612,549.76. This is inclusive of 7.5% VAT.

“The other two memos had to do with provision of operational vehicles for customs. One was for 177 vehicles; these are Toyota Coaster, Toyota Hiace (mid-roof), Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo, total of N9,378,829,942.75, for this set of 177 vehicles. 

“For the other one where we had a set 160 vehicles. These are Toyota Hiluxes and also Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo, that’s 160 vehicles at a total sum of N7,908,354,685.75 and against, its inclusive of 7.5% VAT”, he said. 

Also speaking, minister of mines and steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite, disclosed that council approved the Metallurgical Bill 2023, which he said is like the other half of the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Policy 2023, which was also approved by Council last week.