Tinubu Decision at the just concluded September FEC meeting at Aso Rock

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu led the Federal Executive Council meeting at Aso Rock Villa. Present were the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government George Akume, and other council members.

1. They examined the flooding that affected parts of the country, notably demolishing nearly half of Maiduguri in Borno State. The council endorsed the President’s plan to create a Disaster Relief Fund, supported by federation revenue and private sector contributions.
2. A decision was made to form a technical committee to assess the integrity of Alau Dam and other national dams.
3. The council approved Economic Stabilisation Bills, which include proposals from the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms. These bills aim to revise income tax laws, boost exports, adjust the exchange rate system, and increase foreign exchange liquidity. One bill provides tax breaks for companies increasing employment, while another offers income relief, raising the threshold from N200,000 to N400,000. Another proposal encourages federal and state cooperation to halt certain taxes on small enterprises and vulnerable groups, including road haulage and business premise levies. With council approval, these bills move to the National Assembly.
4. A contract was greenlit for a 258 km 3-lane highway in Kebbi and Sokoto, part of a larger 1000 km route from Illela to Badagry. This segment starts at Silame and ends at Buya Town.
5. An increased budget for the Bodo-Bonny Road project, with bridges over the Opobo Channel in Rivers State, was sanctioned, raising costs to N280 billion with an added 12 months for completion.
6. The contract for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway was re-evaluated, reducing the cost to N740.79 billion and extending the timeline to 14 months, including solar lights installation.
7. CCECC Nigeria Limited received two road projects in Kogi and Cross River at N133.4 billion, involving building the Cross River to Oferekpe Road and refurbishing the Kabba to Ado Ekiti Road.
8. BDT International Limited was tasked with repairing Gamboru Bridge on Gamboru-Ngala-Kala-Balde Road in Borno for N3.2 billion, with a 24-month completion time.
9. CCECC Nigeria will fix the Third Mainland Bridge loops and ramps and renovate Adeniji-Falomo Roads for N42 billion, expected to finish in six months.
10. A N158 billion contract to build service lanes from Lekki Deep Sea Port to Shagamu-Benin Expressway was approved for Dangote Industries, under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Fund and Tax Credit Scheme.
11. The council sanctioned the dualization of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo, financed through the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Fund and Tax Credit Scheme.
12. Contracts were approved for repairing 14 bridges, roads, and flooded sections on federal highways nationwide.
13. The FCT Ministry successfully presented seven memos, including a contract for Judges Quarters in Katampe and a road from Ring Road 1 to these quarters.
14. Approval was given for a road from Arterial Road N11 in Mabushi District to Judges Quarters in Katampe.
15. Three roads in FCT satellite towns saw approval: Pai-Gomani Road in Kuala Area Council, Aguma Palace Road in Gwagwalada, and Bwari Area Council upgrades.
16. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s two memos got approval. One involved restoring national symbols’ dignity and standardizing their use. It was decided that the National Anthem’s first stanza be used for official events, with all three stanzas reserved for special occasions. The third stanza of the New National Anthem will become the National Prayer, replacing the current one. The second memo featured unveiling the national values charter, which also received approval.