[ODUNEWS] January 18 – The Federal Executive Council has allocated N1.4 billion for the procurement of cars for the Ogoniland, Rivers State, hydro-carbon pollution remediation project.
Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, said this while briefing State House media following the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to Abdullahi, cars are necessary for effective project management in contaminated areas.
“Today, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, I presented a memo to the council requesting approval to procure some project vehicles for the hydro-carbon pollution remediation project.
“You recall that late last year, in December, the council approved some projects to do with power for the Ogoni people and remediation of some polluted sites.
“It was approved in light of the desire to ensure effective project supervision, particularly in the five water schemes.”
“And the upcoming 16 water schemes and the proposed shoreline remediation, as well as the proposed Center of Excellence to be built within Ogoniland, in view of the fact that we are going to have regular inspections by experts from outside the country, There is a need to provide project vehicles so that they can effectively inspect, supervise, and monitor the remediation exercise.”
“As a result, the FEC today approved a sum of N1.4 billion only in favour of Messrs Mujaf Automobile Nigeria Ltd for the provision of 31 vehicles for the project.”
“So, all in all, about 31 vehicles were approved for the hydrocarbon pollution remediation project to ensure effective supervision of the project, in particular the remediation project. Essentially, this is what we presented, and it was approved by the FEC,” he said.
According to the ministry, the vehicles include one 18-seat Toyota Hiace bus and one 30-seat Toyota Coaster bus, both of which are scheduled to be delivered in 2022. He also identified 11 Toyota Hilux double cabin, four-wheel drive, 2022 model (diesel engine), 15 Toyota double cabin, four-wheel drive, 2022 model (petrol engine), one Toyota Land Cruiser Twin Turbo, 2022 model, and two Toyota Land Cruiser V6 Prado units.
