The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N20.11 billion for the purchase of 427 operational vehicles and nine gunboats for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the virtual FEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister said Council also approved the sum of N539,277,673 for the construction of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) building at the Ilupeju Medium and Small Taxpayers’ office, Lagos.
Speaking on the contracts approved for Customs, Ahmed said a total of 427 operational vehicles, worth N14.55 billion and nine gunboats worth N5,564,002,871 were all approved.
She said, “The ministry also presented, on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, a memo that was seeking for Council’s approval for the design, construction and supply of two NC36M patrol boats, in favour of Messrs of Boat Plus Limited, in the sum of N5,062,530,400, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of 12 months and council approved our request.
“We also presented a memo, again on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service for the approval of Council for the design, construction and supply of seven fast assault patrol boats and seven regular patrol boats in favour of Messrs Siwa West Africa Limited, in the sum of N501,472,471.08, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks.
“The purpose of the purchase of these two types of petrol boats is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations of the Nigerian Customs Service in its bid to control smuggling and also ensure enhanced efficiency in all Customs duty operations in the marine unit of the Nigerian Customs Service.
“We also presented, again on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, a request for Council’s approval and council approved the procurement of 427 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service operations in favour of various contractors in the combined sum of N14.55 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.”