The Cabinet on Wednesday approved over N1.4 billion for the procurement of vehicles to ensure effective supervision and monitoring of the hydro-carbon pollution remediation project in Ogoni land, Niger Delta region Southern Nigeria
The approval was given at the first meeting of the Federal Executive Council in 2023 presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
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The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, said that the approval was for 31 vehicles and was given in favour of Messrs Mujaf Automobile Nigeria Ltd in the total sum of N1, 354, 016, 250.00.
Abdullahi said the Council’s decision to approve the memo he presented at the meeting followed an approval in December last year of projects to do with power for Ogoni people and the remediation of some polluted sites.
“In view of this development and because of the desire to ensure effective supervision of this project, particularly in the five water schemes and the upcoming 16 water schemes and the proposed shoreline remediation and also the proposed Centre of Excellence to be built within Ogoniland, and in view of the fact we are going to inspect on regular basis 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.”
Giving further details of the memo he presented, Abdullahi stated that vehicles would include one 18-seater Toyota Hiace Bus, one 30-seater Toyota Coaster Bus, 11 Toyota Hilux Double-Cabin Four Wheel Drive with Diesel Engine, 15 Toyota Hilux Double-Cabin Four Wheel Drive, Petrol Engine.
Also to be procured are one Toyota Land Cruiser Twin Turbo and two units of Toyota Land Cruiser V6 Prado.
“So, all in all about 31 vehicles were approved for the hydro carbon pollution remediation project to ensure effective supervision of the project, particular the remediation project,” Abdullahi stated.
The Minister added that all the approved vehicles would be of the 2022 models.
PIAK