The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved an N495 million contract on Wednesday for the purchase and installation of scanners in various railway stations around the nation in an effort to reduce the danger of assaults on the nation’s railway services.
At all railway stations, including Kubwa, Idu, Jere, Rigassa, Kaduna, and Kano, the luggage scanners will be deployed.
The contract’s price was N495 million, according to Ademola Adegoroye, Minister of State for Transportation, who made the announcement to journalists following the Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He said the devices were necessary because of the need to enhance the security of lives and property in the nation’s railway facilities, saying “The scanners cost N495 million.
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation had two memos today, which I presented on behalf of the ministry and it had to do with one, the provision of scanners at all railway stations all over the country.
“You’ll all agree with me that in view of the process of security of lives and property, such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations. Since we’re starting the railway revolution, we are trying to put in place a lot of things with the railways. We don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.
“So, today there was a memo before the Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I’m happy to inform you that the Council agreed with us and has approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and have goods, then they can pass through the scanners and they can be sure that there’s nothing that can destroy, that can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake,” he said.