The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N1.7bn for the printing and distribution of English Language, Mathematics and activity-based Science books to primary six pupils in public schools nationwide.



The project will be funded by the Universal Basic Education Commission from the 2010 Supplementary Budget under the Millennium Development Goals’ Textbook Initiative for the procurement of textbooks.



The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, announced the development after the council met in the State House, Abuja.



FEC had at its meeting on May 5, 2010, approved the contracts for the printing and distribution of textbooks to pupils in primary four and five.



The books have been printed and distributed to the states and are already in use by the pupils.



As part of its efforts to consolidate on the achievements made in the provision of textbooks to primary schools, the Federal Government appropriated N4bn under the Millennium Development Goals, textbook initiative for the procurement of textbooks for pupils in public schools.



Akunyili disclosed that the textbooks were to be customised with the inscription: “MDGs-UNEC textbook initiative – not for sale.”



The contract was awarded to Messrs. Longman Nig. Plc, Evans Brothers, Heinemann, Africana First Publisher, Tanus Communication Ltd., University Press Plc, and West African Books Publishers.



It (contract) is to be concluded in six weeks.



FEC also approved the construction of one block of nine-storey office complex as headquarters of the Code of Conduct Bureau in the sum of N3.5bn.



Akunyili explained that FEC made the approval after considering a memo from President Goodluck Jonathan, who presided over the meeting.



In the memo, the President informed the council that the “present office space for the Code of Conduct Bureau is grossly inadequate.”



“The building of an office complex as headquarters will therefore decongest the present over-crowded office and the separation of staff at the annex complex,” the memo read in part.



There is a provision of N594m in the 2010 budget for the construction of the building.



The bureau will need to capture the project in the 2011 and 2012 budgets.



FEC also approved the extension of the contract for the operation, maintenance and staff training for Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant.



The Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant was constructed by Messrs SCC (Nigeria) Limited and commissioned in May 2007. But due to the complexity of the project, the firm was awarded a two-year service contract for the operation and maintenance of the plant.



The operation and maintenance contract ended in April 2010.



However, the Federal Capital Territory Administration sought and obtained the President’s approval for the extension of the service contract for one year to allow sufficient time for the development of local expertise to grasp the rudiments of the operation and maintenance of the plant.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100902215446

Na waoh, i don’t understand, is it that Jonathan have seen so much money in the treasury that he can just be filtering it out the way he likes by awarding contract for even text books? If he knows he is only coming to waste money let him pocket his presidential ambition oh

that shows the economy is growing.

next is try to foster on free education and health thumbs up bro joe

that shows the economy is growing.

them go share the money for backyard

Texbooks whilst the students learn in crumbling structures,low paid teachers another excuse to loot

Is primary education on the exclusive list (constitutionally)?

Another dubious project! Raising money to fund the up coming elections.

I pity our poor pupil cos they will graduate from university and not get any textbook. Our leaders are just sooooo self-centered. God help us!!

Come to think of it, the total population of nigeria is 150million, so how come about 2million is release for just primary six pupils? OLEEEEEE!

FEC WANT TO ROB US THROUGH THIS BOOK THING. IS PRIMARY EDUCATION ON THE EXCLUSIVE LIST?

another contract worth billions, Jonathan we hail thee, spend the money and when it finishes commence borrowing

We need to fund elections coming up and Jonathan MUST win!