FG approves N27.09bn for 774 health centres
axStories from: KABIRU YUSUF, Abuja

BARELY, six years after supplying all the 774 local government councils across the nation with police patrol Jeeps, the Obasanjo administration has now awarded contract worth N27.090 billion for the construction of 774 comprehensive health centres.
Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Frank Nweke (jnr), who revealed this yesterday to the State House Press Corps shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, explained that the project is going to be executed under the public / private partnership.
Mr. Frank Nweke while stating that all local councils will be represented by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) further said the federal government is going to fund the project through the ministry of finance but deduct same from their allocations directly.
He however pointed out that each of the 774 comprehensive health centres is to consist of primary health care delivery and medical staff quarters among other facilities needed, adding that each of the 774 comprehensive centres will cost N35million.
Similarly, he disclosed the meeting approved the sum of over N3.2 billion for the purchase of Antiviral drugs for Nigerians affected by HIV saying that this is in line with government commitment to provision of adequate medical care to affected persons.
Under this arrangement in which the contract has been awarded, he explained government is expected to stock its medical store with medicaments while another contract worth N5.20million is awarded for the purchase of assorted drugs aimed at ensuring total eradication of Malaria through out the country.
On the power sector, he said as the sector remins the key to the nation’s industrialization the meeting has approved the sum of N3.9billion for the construction of Apo-Gwagwalada power transmission line and N4.9 billion for Abeokuta, Otta and Oba sub-stations respectively.
Mr. Nweke who said the federal executive council which had approved most of the recommendations of the white paper on the Justice J. A Olowoporoko report over the clashes of military, police and para-military however added that the executive council rejected the aspect that recommends relocating of military barracks outside cities.
The minister of commerce and industry, Dr. Aliyu Moddibo who was also at the briefing told journalists that in line with government’s efforts to ensure only products that satisfied the Standard of Nigeria (SON) requirements get to Nigerian markets three trucks were impounded with sub-standard wire.
Dr, Moddibo further said the meeting has ordered his ministry to ensure that all Flour Milling dealers use at least 5 per cent of cassava flour in bakery production pointing out that currently the country is producing 38 metric tonnes of cassava but is aiming to reach 44 metric tonnes next year.