N890 billion census: FEC approves N15.3 billion ICT Contract

Key highlights:

• The ICT part contract was awarded N10.9 billion.
• One other contract that was permitted by the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee was the contract for the event and implementation of a cellular system administration resolution for the non-public digital help system
• Minister of State for Funds and Nationwide Planning, Clem Agba, had mentioned {that a} whole of N869 billion ($1.88 billion) can be required for the train.

The Nigerian Authorities has permitted the sum of N15.3 billion for the availability and set up of knowledge and communication expertise (ICT) gadgets for the 2023 inhabitants census.

The approval got here in the course of the Federal Govt Council (FEC) on Wednesday, via the approval of two contracts.

This was disclosed by the media aide to the Presidency, Garba Shehu after the Council assembly presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Contracts

Shehu famous that the FEC okayed right this moment the award of the contract for the availability and set up of knowledge and communication expertise (ICT) parts for the 2023 inhabitants census, he added:

• ”That is for the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee (NPC). It’s meant for the census. The ICT part contract was awarded for about N10.9 billion.
• “One other contract that was permitted for the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee was the contract for the event and implementation of cellular system administration resolution for the non-public digital help gadgets for use for the 2023 inhabitants census.
• ”That is within the sum of about N4.4 billion.”

Different contracts

The media official added that the FEC additionally permitted the contract for the event of exterior price of infrastructure on the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) new coaching academy at N3.3 billion and N1billion was equally permitted for the contract for the procurement of 19 automobiles for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He added the council-approved coverage on HIV/AIDS to guard individuals residing with the illness and new rules on the woodworking ecosystem, saying:

• “Authorities has revised rules pertaining to woodworking equipment and your complete ecosystem which dated again to 1959.
• ”New rules have been put in place as empowered by the regulation.
• “And by this approval, the Legal professional Normal of the Federation and Minister of Justice will domicile and gazette these adjustments which have been permitted.
• “His different approval is on coverage on HIV/AIDS. Mainly, that is to ensure private human rights over individuals with HIV in workplaces in order that they don’t seem to be discriminated towards and are given equal rights.

”They aren’t discriminated towards and they’re given all that is because of them. And they’re revered, particularly on the subject of their private and human rights,” he mentioned.

World Financial institution

The Minister of Finance, Funds and Nationwide Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, revealed that the Federal Authorities had secured a World Financial institution facility price $800 million {dollars}, which she says can be used to help the post-petroleum subsidy palliatives requirement within the nation.

• “Once we had been engaged on the 2023 Medium Time period Expenditure Framework and the Appropriation Act, we made that provision to allow us to exit gas subsidy by June 2023.
• ”We’re on target, we’re having totally different stakeholders’ engagements, and we’ve secured some funding from the World Financial institution.
• “That’s the first tranche of palliatives that can allow us to present money transfers to probably the most susceptible in our society which have now been registered in a nationwide social register.
• “At present that register has an inventory of 10 million households. 10 million households are equal to about 50 million Nigerians.”

Backstory

BudgIT, considered one of Nigeria’s civic organisations, referred to as on the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee to publish the breakdown of the N896 billion 2023 Nationwide Inhabitants Census funds.

In a press release made accessible to Nairametrics, they revealed the Minister of State for Funds and Nationwide Planning, Clem Agba,  had mentioned {that a} whole of N869 billion ($1.88 billion) can be required for the train. This determine contains post-census actions.

In response to the Minister, N626 billion ($1.36 billion) will probably be used for the census at $6 per citizen, and N243 billion ($527 million) will probably be used for post-census actions as much as 2025.

Want for accountability

The organisation famous that whereas the census train is essential for planning a progressive and sustainable growth, which isn’t restricted to realizing the income estimation, financial wants, unemployment degree, residing commonplace and insurance policies, there’s a want for the fee to offer particulars of its funds, to make sure public transparency and accountability.

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