The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a N495 million contract for the installation of baggage scanners at railway stations across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye stated this while briefing the media after the meeting of the Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
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Adegoroye said the approval was necessitated by the need to provide security of lives and property at the country’s railways.
“We are starting the railway revolution; we are trying to put in place a lot of things in the railways.
“We don’t want people to come and damage all that 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 am happy to inform you that the Federal Executive Council agreed with us and approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and they have goods, they can pass through the scanners and we can be sure that there is nothing that can cause violence or inflicts danger or puts lives and property at stake.”
Towage Concession
The Minister said that the cabinet meeting also approved a 10-year concession for Messrs Alcuff to provide towage services at the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty in Lagos.
President Buhari inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port in January this year.
Explaining that the Nigerian Ports Authority has the statutory responsibility to provide marine services Mr. Adegoroye said that there was a need for the towage services at the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Jetty for seamless operation.
“So, because of the new Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty, the need has arisen for a company that can carry out towage services so as to make a lot things easier and more effortless in the ports. Ship berthing will be easier; discharge of goods will be a lot easier.
“Of course there was the argument that why would the company that provides such services at Apapa Ports and Lagos Tin Can not just go and do it.
“We think that it will overstretch that company and because it would overstretch them, they will not be able to cope; they may not have the capacity to cope.”
Adegoroye said that the concession would enable the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty to perform maximally.
PIAK
