FEC approves N300m for research institute, two firms

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an award of about N300 million contract to the Agriculture Research Institute and two other certified firms for the production and distribution of seeds and seedlings to farmers.

Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture, Muhammad Mahmud, said the approval was also given for the award of over N2 billion contract for the procurement of soil test kits and soil analytical laboratory equipment to the National Institute of Soil Science.

The Ministry of Water Resources got approval to execute two contracts for Phase 2 of the Gashua Water Supply Project in Yobe State, at over N2billion.

Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu, told newsmen that the aim was to extend water supply service to Zango and Sabongarin Lamido, comprising a battery, boreholes, submersible pump, solar panels.

He explained that the other component of the contract was the upgrading of the existing waterworks, which includes rehabilitation of some elevated tanks, provision of potable water treatment plants, and other ancillary facilities.

The Minister said the contract, which is for a period of 18 months, was aimed at preventing the prevalence of kidney diseases and kidney failures caused by acute water shortage in the area. (RadioNigeria)