Wednesday approved a contract of
N40.2bn for the construction of the
Phase III, Part III of the National
Assembly complex and the upgrading of
the assembly’s two chambers.
To pave the way for the smooth
implementation of the project, the two
chambers would be closed to legislative
duties for 12 months.
The approval was given by FEC on
Wednesday at its weekly meeting
presided over by Vice President Namadi
Sambo.
President Goodluck Jonathan was away
in South Africa where he participated in
the funeral rites for the country’s
former President, Dr. Nelson Mandela.
Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran
Maku; and the Minister of Federal
Capital Territory, Senator Bala
Muhammed, briefed State House
correspondents on the outcome of the
meeting.
Muhammed said the National Assembly
project, which was awarded to
construction giant, Julius Berger,
included the construction of library,
budget office, printing press, clinic,
restaurants, banquet hall, places of
worship, plenary hall (auditorium), TV/
radio/press facilities, fitness room,
administrative offices, technical rooms,
meeting rooms and the upgrading of the
two chambers.
He said the contract would be carried
out in 40 months under the National
Priority Programme of the Federal
Government and based on national plan.
Muhammed said the two chambers of
the National Assembly would remain
closed for the period that an
arrangement has been made for large
conference rooms where lawmakers can
be carrying out their legislative duties.
He however said the commencement
date for the closure would be
determined when the tripartite
agreement with the contractor is
signed.
Maku said based on the request of the
Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the
council approved the building of a
national laboratory in Owerri, Imo State,
for the testing of petroleum products as
well as crude oil and gas to ensure the
products meet the best international
standard.
