The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, on Wednesday revealed that the Federal Executive Council approved a variation of 18.12 million dollars and additional N3.25 billion for the supply and installation of three numbers Rapsican mobile Cargo Scanners.
“Today at council, we presented two memos, the first memo was for seeking council’s approval for the revision of a contract that was previously approved by council in 2018 for the supply and installation of three numbers Rapsican mobile Cargo Scanners.
“These are large size cargo scanners that will be placed in Onne port, Port Harcourt and Tin Can port. They are scanners that can actually drive containers through.
“This contract is awarded to a company that is named Messrs Airwave limited and the contract is in the sum of $18.12 million of foreign component, there is also local component of N3. 255 billion inclusive of five per cent VAT,’’ he said.
The minister maintained that the review became necessary in order to accommodate VAT which was not included in the initial contract, and also due to dispute arising from exchange rate differential.
She said: “So, we have now a resolution and an understanding and FEC approval for this contract to go on.’’
According to her, the scanners are designed to aid effective revenue collection, the features that will screen for narcotics, weapons and undeclared items, saying they can also detect arms and ammunition, illegal importation and possession of arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.
She further disclosed that the Council approved N280.9million for the design, construction and supply of five numbers of fast ballistic reverie assault boats and five numbers patrol boats with all associated accessories to the Nigerian Customs Service
“The second memo we presented to council today is also for the Nigerian Customs Service.
“It is for the design, construction and supply of five numbers of fast ballistic reverie assault boats and five numbers patrol boats with all associated accessories in favour of Messre CY West African limited in the sum of N280, 992, 888,75 inclusive of 7.5 VAT.
“The Nigerian Customs Service needs these boats to enhance its operational efficiency and combat smuggling activities on our waterways,’’ she added.
The minister expressed the hope that the boats would also significantly boost revenue collection and other core duties of maritime unit of the Nigeria Customs Service.
