Connect with us

Business

FG Approves N4.3bn For Trains, Coaches

Published

13 years ago

on

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has  approved N4.333 billion contract for the procurement of trains and coaches, Transport Minister Idris Umar, said.

Umar disclosed this after the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

He said that the Council had also approved contracts for the procurement of air-conditioned trains which would be deployed to the Lagos-Kano rail axis in an anticipation of its formal opening before the Christmas

He said that the Council also approved contract for the procurement of two sets of five-car diesel multiple unit with a capacity of 540 passengers.

The minister said contract for the procurement of additional six number of 60-seater passenger coaches for intra-city mass transit service had also been approved.

The contracts, he said, were awarded to Messrs CSR NANJIMG PUZHEN Co. Ltd. and Kin Tech Nig. Ltd with completion period of 13 months.

“As you are fully aware, the Federal Government is committed to the resuscitation of the railway system. The rehabilitation of the ongoing narrow gauge trunk is in progress. The Lagos-Kano which is Western axis will be opened for use before Christmas. It is against this background that government decided to place the order for the purchase of the 2 sets of the diesel multiple units which is a train that has two loco and three coaches all linked together.

“They are fully air-conditioned and it is the type that you have in China, America and in other parts of the world. They are going to be used on the existing narrow-gauge tracks. We hope that by next year, when the Eastern corridor is fully rehabilitated, that is Port-Harcourt – Maiduguri, we will get additional supply of these locomotives and coaches.’’

Umar said Council also approved contract for the consultancy services for the resident supervision of the construction of inland River port at Jamata, Lokoja at the cost of N121.114 million.

He said the scope of the consultancy supervision services was to ensure strict adherence to design specification and project completion within stipulated time.

The minister said the Council also approved contract for the supply of radiation and explosive detective devices to be used by the Nigerian Ports Authority at the cost of N189.733 million.

According to him, the devices is used to determine the level of radiation of containers and other enclosed general goods and monitor radio-active materials at the Ports.

In the same vein, the Council also approved over N22.6 billion for construction and rehabilitation of two major roads in Enugu and Kogi States.

The Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, who disclosed this to the correspondents, said that contract for the rehabilitation of Umana-Ndiagu-Agba-Ebinebe-Amansi Akwa road in Enugu State was approved by the Council at the cost of N10.370 billion.

Yuguda said that the contract was awarded to Messrs CGC Nig. Ltd with a completion period of 30 months.

He said Council also approved contract for the construction of Ogrute-Umuida-Unadu-Akpanya-Odoni road in Enugu and Kogi States at the cost of N12.362 billion in favour of Messrs PW Nig. Ltd.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

7 days ago

on

January 12, 2026

By

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its  thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.
 Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.
Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.
The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that  Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.
He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.
“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .
According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.
He pointed out that such has the likelihood of  exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.
The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.
“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.
The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.
In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.
Nye jerked up  the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it  help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

7 days ago

on

January 12, 2026

By

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

 According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.
The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Continue Reading

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

1 week ago

on

January 9, 2026

By

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.
The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.
The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.
In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.
He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.
Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.
According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.
He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.
The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.
He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.
He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.
Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.
He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.
Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.
As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.
Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.
Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.
He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.
Lady Usendi
Continue Reading

Trending