Agency Report,
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N8.3 billion for the purchase of operational vehicles and equipment for the Nigeria Police Force and received a report about Nigeria’s 3.1 per cent economic growth in the first quarter of 2022 at its weekly meeting on Wednesday.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr Dingyadi said the approvals also covered supply of drugs and medical equipment for police hospitals.
“Today, the Federal Executive Council approved for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to award contracts for the supply of 82 operational vehicles, Toyota brand, for the efficient operation of Nigeria Police at the total cost of N2.2 billion.
“We also had approval for supply of customised police raincoat for distribution to police across the country at the cost of N1.9 billion.
“Also customised police boots at the cost of N576 million; we also got approval for the supply of micro first aid kits for the police at the cost of N1 billion as well as customised instructional materials for the police colleges and schools at the cost of N664 million.
The minister explained that the NPTF was set up as a special intervention fund to facilitate the improvement of the operations of Nigeria Police Force in the areas of equipment, training and welfare
On his part, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, said he presented three items to the council.
He said the first was a note to council on the ongoing projects.
Meanwhile, Zainab Ahmed, the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, made the declaration at the end of the meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The minister noted, however, that the report showed contractions in some sectors of the economy.
“The Federal Executive Council received a report from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for the first quarter of 2022.
“I know that this report has been out in the media since last week Monday, but because we didn’t have FEC meeting last week we presented it today.
“The report shows that the economy grew by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a growth of 0.5 per cent in the corresponding period in 2021.
“This growth shows a gradual economic stability from the recession that we witnessed in 2020; and also it shows the sixth quarter of positive growth that the Nigerian economy has presented,’’ she said.
Mrs Ahmed added that of the 46 economic activities, the bulk sector performance showed that services sector grew strongly by 4.7 per cent; agriculture grew by 3.61 per cent while industry contracted by -6.81 per cent.
According to her, there is also a significant contraction in the crude oil, petroleum and natural gas sector by -26.04 per cent.
(NAN)