The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N17.4 billion for the provision of broadband infrastructure for micro, small and medium enterprises as well as tertiary and higher learning institutions across the six geo-political zones.
This will come in the form of a supply of IT communications equipment and furniture for communication centres in the nation’s six geo-political zones by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
This is as it approved N3.992 billion for the augmentation of road projects in Kwara and Niger states.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed State House Correspondents at the end of the council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, added that N660.422 million was also approved for the procurement of operational vehicles for the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Speaking on the memorandum presented by different ministers, Mohammed said, “The first was a memo for the procurement of vehicles for the Federal Road Safety Corps and that contract was in favour of Messrs Innoson Manufacturing Company at the total sum of N660,422,220 and it is made up of 20 pick-up vehicles and 1 City Bus and it is in the spirit of encouraging our local industries that the contract was awarded to Innosons Motors.
“The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy presented a memo which was approved for the provision of broadband infrastructure for micro-small medium enterprises and also tertiary and higher learning institutions across the six geo-political zones.
“The administration is passionate about deepening the broadband infrastructure and that contract was awarded to various companies for N16, 709, 853,000.
“There is another memo for the Minister of Communications seeking approval for the supply, installations and upgrading for new set of new IT communications equipment and furniture for emergency communication centres all over the country and that was awarded for the sum of N668m
“There was also the ratification of the International Labour Organisation Migrant Workers Supplementary Provision with Nigeria ratifying the 1975 Convention. That was the memo from the Minister of Labour and Employment.