The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the purchase of 427 operational vehicles worth N14.55bn for the Nigerian Customs Service.

This was one of the decisions reached at the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the meeting.

Ahmed said the council also approved the purchase of patrol boats worth N5.56bn for the service.

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 Boat Plus Limited, in the sum of N5.06bn, inclusive of 7.5 per cent 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 N501.47m, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks.

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“The purpose of the purchase of these two types of patrol 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 service.

“We also presented 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 N14.55bn, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.”

The minister said the council also approved the sum of N539.28m for the construction of the Federal Inland Revenue Service building at the Ilupeju Medium and Small Taxpayers’ Office.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the council approved N532.61m for the construction and furnishing of the University of Ibadan’s library extension.

Mohammed said, “The Minister of Education presented a memo for the award of contract for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the library of the University of Ibadan.

“The memo, which was approved, is at the cost of N532.61m and with a completion period of 48 weeks.”

He said the memo was very well received because of the need to extend the library facility in the university.