The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved over N2billion for the procurement of operational vehicles by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this to State House correspondents after the virtual FEC meeting, which was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aregbesola briefed reporters alongside his colleagues, Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Minister of State for Power, Jeddy Agba.
He said the vehicles to be procured include 27 Buffalo double cabin vans, 15 Toyota Hilux vans and 10 ambulance buses.
The Federal Executive Council today approved for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), also known as Civil Defence, the sum of N2, 024, 935, 000 only for the purchase of 52 operational vehicles broken down in this order, 27 Buffalo double cabin MT 2021 model, 15 Toyota Hilux 4 wheel drive, premium package 2020 model and 10 Toyota Hiace ambulance buses, with full option, totalling 52 vehicles in all,” Aregbesola said.
He said the vehicles would be bought to enhance the capacity of the NSCDC to combat crimes as well as the protection of lives and property across Nigeria.
Asked about the openness of the contract bids to local contractors, the minister said: “It was an open bidding, and I think I saw some of our local manufacturers bid. They bid and the best and most responsive bids won the contract.